Govt Turns Heat on Bajwa, Cong Plans Counter Move

Political slugfest over senior Congress leader and Qadian MLA Partap Singh Bajwa's '50 bombs' claims intensified on Monday with chief minister Bhagwant Mann warning opposition leaders to refrain from indulging in divisive politics and making mischievous statements while the Congress threatened to launch a series of protests in solidarity with the leader of Opposition.

- HT Correspondents

CHANDIGARH/PATIALA:

The chief minister on Monday accused Bajwa of spreading fear among Punjabis by falsely claiming that 50 bombs had been smuggled into the state. Mann demanded that Bajwa reveal his source of information or face action.

Mann was speaking at a state-level function in Patiala to mark the 134th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar when he addressed the issue. The controversy stemmed from Bajwa's claim during a TV interview that 50 bombs, including hand grenades, had already been smuggled into Punjab, with 18 of them used in terror activities.

In response, Mann emphasized that neither the central nor state intelligence agencies had any such information, stressing that if Bajwa's claim was not backed by credible sources, it could be seen as an attempt to create panic. Mann also warned that Bajwa could face legal consequences for spreading misinformation that could jeopardize national security.

On his part, Bajwa said he will fight for the peace of Punjab, "as incapable government is hitting the messenger instead of taking the issue seriously".