PM Modi takes potshots at Punjab CM over cancellation of his rally, Amarinder demands President's rule

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took potshots at the Congress government in Punjab over the cancellation of his rally at Ferozpur in the state.The Prime Minister said that his gratitude should be conveyed to the Punjab Chief Minister as he has managed to reached Bhatinda airport alive, reported ANI.

Chandigarh (Punjab): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took potshots at the Congress government in Punjab over the cancellation of his rally at Ferozpur in the state. The Prime Minister said that his gratitude should be conveyed to the Punjab Chief Minister as he has managed to reached Bhatinda airport alive, reported ANI.

"Officials at Bhatinda Airport tell ANI that PM Modi on his return to Bhatinda airport told officials there, Apne CM ko thanks kehna, ki mein Bhatinda airport tak zinda laut paaya'", it said.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh demanded President's rule in the state. Lashing out at the state government over the incident, he said "If we have to keep our state safe and keep law and order here, then I think President's rule should be imposed."

Terming the incident as a serious security lapse, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that it has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government.

BJP president J P Nadda alleged BJP president J P Nadda said it was trying "all possible tricks to scuttle" the Prime Minister's programmes in the State.

Heavy rains played spoilsport forcing the authorities to cancel the scheduled rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ferozepur Punjab on Wednesday. Though the Prime Minister reached Punjab in the noon, where he was supposed to inaugurate several development projects, he had to return to Delhi. He landed at Air Force Station Bhisiana in Bathinda but due to the weather, he left for Ferozepur by road.

Reaching Hussainiwala border in Firozpur, he paid homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Earlier in the day agitating farmers raised slogans of "go back" against the Prime Minister. Ferozepur is stronghold of the BJP. At the same time, Rana Gurmeet Sodhi, the sitting MLA from Gurharsahai in Ferozepur, has left the Congress and joined the BJP. Prominent Akali leader of this district Gurtej Singh Ghudiana has also joined the BJP.

Lashing out at the Punjab Government over the incident, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Smriti Irani alleged that the state government delibarately created such a situation where the Prime Minister will be brought to harm. "Never before in the history of our country, a state govt knowingly constructed a scenario where the PM will be brought to harm. We know Congress hates Modi, but today they tried to harm the PM of India," she said.

She further alleged that the law and order has collapsed in Punjab in such a manner that the DGP has said that he is unable to priovide the Prime Minister's security details. "Such is the breakdown in law & order in Punjab that the DGP claims he is incapable of providing support PMO & PM security detail. The Congress must give an answer," said Irani. BJP president in Punjab Ashwani Sharma said that if the Congress cannot maintain law and order in the state then they have no right to be in power.

Also Read:READ:PM Modi's Punjab rally cancelled due to major security lapse: MHA

"If they (Congress) can't save democracy & maintain law & order in state, they've no right to be in power. We'll release videos of buses carrying people to join rally tommorrow (on allegations that there was poor turnout at BJP rally)," he said.

Lashing out at the Punjab Government over the incident Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted "The state government was responsible for the security of the Prime Minister. This is not playing with the life of the Prime Minister, but playing with the security of the nation. This Congress, the Congress government and the Gandhi family are so full of hatred that they play with the security of the Prime Minister! This is a criminal conspiracy."

He also said that it was because of the "blessings of the people of the country" the Prime Minister's life was safe.

"Thank God that his life is safe, otherwise Congress, Congress government and Gandhi family would have left no stone unturned. The play with their security had never happened before in the country," he added.

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that the Punjab Government "deliberately created" security breach in the Prime Minister's rally adding that the state government has spoilt the goodwill of Punjab.

"Punjab congress deliberately created security breach in the rally of PM @narendramodiJi. The present @PunjabGovtIndiahas spoilt the goodwill of Punjab. Urging people of Punjab to Pls save Punjab’s future and see the @INCPunjabconspiracy," tweeted Sirsa.

Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar termed the incident as "not acceptable."

"What has happened today is just not acceptable. It's against Panjabiyat. A secure passage for the Prime Minister of India to address BJP's political rally in Ferozpur should have been ensured. That’s how democracy works," he tweeted.

Denying the allegation Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said "We had asked them (PMO) to discontinue the visit due to bad weather conditions & protests. We had no information of his (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) sudden route change. There was no security lapse during the PM's visit."

"I express regret that PM Modi had to return during his visit to Ferozepur district today. We respect our PM: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi on security breach during PM's visit to the state," he added.

Channi also said that "I had to receive the PM at Bathinda today but those who had to accompany me tested COVID positive. Hence, I did not go to receive the PM today as I was in close contact with some who tested positive."

Punjab minister Rajkumar Verka denied the allegations of security breach and dubbed the allegations as "baseless." "There were no shortcomings in the security arrangements during the PM's visit to Punjab today. The accusations of a security breach are baseless. The truth is that BJP's rally was a flop show. When PM got to know this, he decided to return," he said.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said that it is a lapse in the Prime MInister's security or was it just the anger of farmers which led to the cancelation of the rally. He also said that while the BJP and the PMO was citimg securuity lapse, the Punjab Chief MInister that it was because of lack of people at the venue for which the rally was cancelled.