Bhagwant Mann should apologise for remarks against national icons: BJP leader

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma on Saturday alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made remarks against national icons and patriotic organisations to divert attention from the corruption charges against his government. The remarks were aimed at protecting his ministers and the image of the AAP government in Punjab, Sharma alleged.

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma on Saturday alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made remarks against national icons and patriotic organisations to divert attention from the corruption charges against his government. ''It was unfortunate that the chief minister made statements against freedom fighters such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The remarks were aimed at protecting his ministers and the image of the AAP government in Punjab,'' Sharma alleged. Using the name of Bhagat Singh to defend corruption was wrong and disrespectful to the sacrifices made by the country's martyrs, he added. The BJP leader also alleged that whenever AAP leaders face action or investigation by agencies, the party tries to mislead the public through such statements. The remarks came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora following a series of raids in connection with a Rs 100 crore money laundering probe linked to alleged fraudulent GST transactions. Demanding that Bhagwant Mann apologise for his remarks, Sharma said Punjab needs transparent governance and accountability instead of diversionary politics.