CM Mann Draws Flak for 'One Nation, One Husband' Remark

BJP Terms Bhagwant Mann's Statement 'Shameful', Seeks Apology and Resignation

- HT Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday hit out at the BJP, accusing the saffron party of politicising Operation Sindoor for electoral gains.

The BJP was quick to get back at him and demanded he apologise and resign for making light of the military operation launched on May 7 to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which the husbands of Hindu women tourists, identified by their sindoor, were targeted.

Replying to a question about the BJP campaign for the June 19 Ludhiana West assembly byelection, Mann accused the party of making a mockery of Indian traditions and seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor for the bypoll in Ludhiana West assembly constituency.

Alluding to reports that BJP workers are distributing sindoor (vermillion) to households following the success of Operation Sindoor, Mann remarked: "Will you wear sindoor in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?"

They (BJP) are sending sindoor to every household, will you apply that," he asked the reporter during an interaction here.

The BJP denied any such drive to win over voters and its leaders, including the party's state unit's spokesperson Pritpal Singh Balliawal, termed the CM's remarks "shameful".

BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta is contesting against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominee and MP Sanjeev Arora, Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parupkar Singh Ghumman for the Ludhiana West assembly seat. The voting will take place on June 19.

Counting will take place on June 23.

Describing Mann's remarks as "vulgarity dressed as leadership", the BJP demanded Mann's resignation.