Punjab: BJP sends defamation notice to CM Bhagwant Mann for remarks blaming party for twin blasts

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday sent a defamation notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks blaming the BJP for the twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, PTI reported.

The two separate low-intensity explosions had been reported within hours of each other near military installations in Jalandhar and Amritsar on Tuesday.

The first incident took place in Jalandhar around 8 pm near the Border Security Force’s Punjab Frontier headquarters, while the second suspected low-intensity explosion was heard around 10.50 pm near the boundary wall of the Khasa cantonment area in Amritsar.

A day later, Mann claimed that the BJP was responsible for the blasts, alleging that this was how the party was preparing for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, the news agency reported.

The elections in the state are due next year.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged that the BJP was attempting to create an atmosphere of fear in the state ahead of the elections.

“The BJP is a communal party,” PTI quoted him as telling reporters. “The Assembly elections are over in West Bengal, and they [the BJP] have said that now it is Punjab’s turn, which indicates that these minor blasts are part of their preparation for the Punjab Assembly elections.”

The BJP defeated the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, winning 207 Assembly seats.

On Thursday,...

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