Chandigarh, May 13 (IANS) Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Punjab unit said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce the size of his convoy in order to save fuel, should serve as a “sign” for the Opposition to follow suit. Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, they said that the Chief Minister should also follow the same measures at the earliest.

Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said: “I believe this is a sign for Bhagwant Mann, that he should reduce his own convoy as well.”

He claimed that a large portion of Punjab Police moves around with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Covenor Arvind Kejriwal and that should be reduced.

“This is a national issue, the ongoing (West Asia) conflict can have a long-term impact on the country, and these steps are being taken to keep the nation secure. So, I believe Bhagwant Mann will definitely accept this (Prime Minister Modi’s) appeal,” Jakhar told IANS.

Punjab BJP Vice President Fatehjang Singh Bajwa echoed that the step taken by the Prime Minister is a “sign” for the Opposition.

“Other politicians should also take minimum security with themselves so that the country and the government have to bear least expenses for this,” he told IANS.

Punjab BJP Working President Ashwani Sharma asserted that Prime Minister Modi has set an “ideal example” in the current global situation, where the prices of petrol and diesel are experiencing a significant surge worldwide.

“When the leader of the country begins with himself and travels with just two vehicles, then I think everyone should follow his example,” Sharma said.

Referring to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab BJP Working President said: “We will see when our Chief Minister (Bhagwant Mann) reduces the size of his convoy or not.”

Taking a jibe at Arvind Kejriwal, BJP leader Sharma said: “It remains to be seen whether the number of vehicles which accompanies his (CM Mann’s) boss, who is neither a Chief Minister nor holds any post, is reduced or not.”

Giving the example of Covid lockdown, he mentioned that the country has always adhered to PM Modi’s appeals in times of crisis.

Sharma said that PM Modi taking such a measure to reduce the size of his convoy, will serve as a motivation to the common people as well.

“India will emerge victorious from this global crisis,” he added.

–IANS

cg/khz