Ropar (Punjab), May 6 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday blamed the BJP for attempting to turn Punjab into a “laboratory of fear and violence” ahead of elections, alleging that two bomb blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar were part of a deliberate strategy to destabilise the state after the passage of the anti-sacrilege law.

Drawing parallels with West Bengal, CM Mann said the BJP “thrives on creating communal tension, panic and unrest in poll-bound states to polarise voters”, but he said peace-loving Punjabis would never allow the BJP to destroy the hard-earned harmony of the state for electoral gains.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the Shukrana Yatra here, CM Mann said, “The BJP is trying to create unrest in Punjab on the pattern of Bengal ahead of elections, but the people of Punjab are politically aware and united against such conspiracies.”

“Violence, divisiveness and communal tension are the hallmark of the BJP and an integral part of the saffron party’s politics. The BJP is trying to incite violence and fear in Punjab on the pattern of Bengal to win the ensuing polls. However, BJP’s nefarious designs will never succeed in Punjab because anything can germinate on the fertile land of Punjab, but seeds of hatred can never grow here.”

Reaffirming the AAP government’s commitment to maintaining peace, unity and democratic values, CM Mann said every Punjabi “begins the day by praying for the well-being of all humanity”. He asserted that Punjab has always stood as a symbol of communal harmony, resilience and brotherhood, and any attempt to disturb this atmosphere would be firmly resisted by the government and the people alike.

Condemning the recent blast incidents in the state, the Chief Minister said such incidents reflected the BJP’s brand of politics, aimed at spreading terror and panic to polarise society and garner votes. The Chief Minister said these developments clearly indicated attempts to destabilise Punjab ahead of the upcoming elections, but assured people that every such conspiracy would be defeated.

–IANS

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