Punjab AAP leader Baltej Pannu on Thursday criticised Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for calling Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann an “ISI agent”. He demanded that Bittu apologise for the remark.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pannu said Mann has carried out several development works in Punjab and does not need any certificate from Bittu. Bittu had on Wednesday targeted Mann for questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his foreign visits. The Union minister said as the country’s prime minister, Modi has to travel abroad for national interests. He also alleged that Mann was acting like an “ISI agent” and wanted to put the country in danger.
Reacting strongly, Pannu said, “You are levelling allegations against Bhagwant Mann. He does not need any certificate from you.” He said Mann has undertaken major development works in Punjab, brought what he called a “revolution” in the health and education sectors, and ensured free electricity for people in the state.
Pannu further claimed that no other chief minister in the country had carried out the kind of work done by Mann in the last four years. “Are you calling him an ISI agent? Could an ISI agent do so much work for the people?” Pannu asked Bittu. He also said Bittu should apologise to the people of Punjab for making such allegations against the chief minister.
“What proof do you have to call Mann an ISI agent?” Pannu questioned the Union minister. The row began after Mann criticised Modi for travelling abroad despite appealing to citizens to postpone foreign travel. Following Mann’s remarks, Bittu accused the Punjab chief minister of trying to obstruct the prime minister’s work.
"Do you (Mann) compare yourself to the prime minister? Would you be able to do as much work as the PM? He is the country's PM and he has to travel the world. If he does not go out, then how will he resolve the issues of oil and gas? "What does he (Mann) know about? It is a serious matter. I want to say that this man is an ISI agent and he wants to put our country in danger at the instance of the ISI. He wants to create obstacles in the work of the PM. I want to ask people to keep an eye on him," Bittu had said.
The remarks come amid tensions in West Asia. Recently, Modi urged people to use fuel carefully and postpone purchases of gold and foreign travel. He also appealed to citizens to use metro services, carpool, increase the use of electric vehicles, and work from home to conserve fuel.
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