BJP's Jakhar accuses Kejriwal of stoking unrest over Punjab bomb blasts
Synopsis
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has demanded a sedition case against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging his statements on the recent bomb blasts effectively gave Pakistan a clean chit — and accused AAP's Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating a coordinated strategy to inflame communal tensions in Punjab for political gain.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar accused Arvind Kejriwal of trying to incite communal unrest in Punjab on 7 May .
A BJP delegation visited the DGP's office in Chandigarh , demanding a probe into what it called a "conspiracy" behind CM Bhagwant Mann's statements on bomb blasts.
Jakhar called Mann's remarks "seditious," alleging they gave Pakistan's ISI a clean chit and damaged India's international standing.
BJP alleged that multiple AAP leaders making similar statements reflects a "choreographed and coordinated strategy" to sow communal hatred.
Jakhar also alleged that Kejriwal stayed at homes of extremist-linked individuals during the 2017 Punjab elections .
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar on Thursday, 7 May accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of attempting to "break the state's communal harmony and incite unrest" in Punjab, alleging that Kejriwal was using Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's statements on recent bomb blasts to destabilise the state. Jakhar made the remarks in Chandigarh following a BJP delegation's visit to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP).
BJP Delegation at DGP Office
A BJP delegation visited the DGP's office in Chandigarh to demand a formal investigation into what the party described as a "conspiracy" behind Chief Minister Mann's statements on the bomb blasts. The delegation members reportedly offered themselves for arrest at the police headquarters, stating that "if there is any evidence against them, action should be taken; otherwise the Chief Minister and other AAP leaders should be included in the investigation and action should be initiated against them for making baseless accusations and incendiary statements."
Jakhar's Sedition Charge Against CM Mann
Jakhar described Mann's remarks as "not only dangerous for communal harmony but also seditious." He argued that while Punjab's DGP had attributed the blasts to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Chief Minister's statements were effectively "giving Pakistan a clean chit." Jakhar demanded that a sedition case be registered against Mann, alleging that the remarks had damaged India's international image and could be exploited by Pakistan at global forums where India raises the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Kejriwal Accused of Orchestrating 'Coordinated Strategy'
Jakhar alleged that Mann was "acting merely as a pawn" in a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Kejriwal. He claimed that multiple AAP leaders making similar statements proved it was "part of a choreographed and coordinated strategy by the party leadership to sow hatred in Punjab" for political gain. He further alleged that during the 2017 Punjab elections, Kejriwal had stayed at homes of individuals linked to extremists, adding that "their antecedents themselves are suspects." Jakhar asserted that Kejriwal had "no right even to accuse a nationalist party like the BJP."
BJP's Stance Going Forward
Jakhar made clear that the BJP "would never allow such attempts to succeed," signalling that the party intends to pursue its demands for an investigation aggressively. This comes amid heightened political tensions in Punjab following the bomb blast incidents, with the ruling AAP and the BJP trading sharp accusations over responsibility and intent. The BJP's escalation — including the sedition demand — is likely to intensify the political standoff in the state in the days ahead.
Point of View
It remains unsubstantiated without the actual text of what Mann said. The broader pattern here is familiar: in Punjab, bomb blast narratives have historically been weaponised by multiple sides to question rivals' nationalist credentials. What is notable is the BJP's tactical framing — linking Kejriwal directly to the 2017 extremist-links allegation — suggesting the party is attempting to revive a long-standing line of attack ahead of future electoral cycles rather than simply responding to a single news event.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Punjab BJP demanded a sedition case against CM Bhagwant Mann?
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar alleged that Mann's statements on the recent bomb blasts effectively gave Pakistan a clean chit, contradicting the DGP's claim that Pakistan's ISI was behind the blasts. Jakhar argued this amounted to a seditious act that damaged India's international image.
What did the BJP delegation do at the DGP's office in Chandigarh?
The BJP delegation visited the DGP's office demanding an investigation into what it called a conspiracy behind CM Mann's statements. Members offered themselves for arrest, stating that if no evidence existed against them, AAP leaders should face action for making baseless and incendiary statements.
What is Arvind Kejriwal accused of in this controversy?
BJP's Jakhar accused Kejriwal of orchestrating a coordinated strategy to inflame communal tensions in Punjab for political gain. He alleged that multiple AAP leaders making similar statements was not coincidental but a deliberate plan by the party's national leadership.
What is the background to the Punjab bomb blast controversy?
Recent bomb blast incidents in Punjab triggered a political row after CM Bhagwant Mann allegedly made statements the BJP described as baseless accusations against the party. The state DGP had attributed the blasts to Pakistan's ISI, making Mann's remarks a flashpoint between the ruling AAP and BJP.
What is the significance of the 2017 Punjab election allegation raised by Jakhar?
Jakhar alleged that during the 2017 Punjab assembly elections, Kejriwal had stayed at homes of individuals linked to extremists. This is a long-standing BJP allegation against Kejriwal and AAP, and its revival signals the party is seeking to question AAP's nationalist credentials beyond the current controversy.
