SANGRUR: Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led Union Government over its handling of the Gulf war situation, alleging that the Centre is trying to hide the failure of its foreign and economic policies by creating panic and inconvenience among people. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Punjab, the Chief Minister questioned the Centre’s repeated appeals for austerity, saying no other country affected by the global crisis had asked its citizens to stop purchasing petrol, diesel, LPG or gold. He said the Union Government should instead clearly inform the country about the actual status of India’s oil and essential reserves.
Bhagwant Singh Mann further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over foreign policy, stating that the leadership which once claimed India would become a “Vishav Guru” had reduced the country to a “Vishav Chela.” He alleged that the Prime Minister’s foreign visits had brought little benefit to ordinary citizens while a handful of industrialists accompanying him on overseas tours continued to gain financially. The Chief Minister claimed that the Centre failed to anticipate the seriousness of the Gulf conflict, due to which the country was now facing rising fuel prices and economic uncertainty.
The Punjab Chief Minister also accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department to target opposition leaders and suppress democratic voices. Taking a dig at Punjab BJP leaders, he alleged that they were disconnected from ground realities and merely echoed the statements of the party high command. Bhagwant Singh Mann, however, said he had already raised the issue of DAP supply with the Union Agriculture Minister and had been assured that Punjab’s requirements would be fully met.
