Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann addresses speaks to the media at Golden Temple in Amritsar, on May 7, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday (May 7, 2026) sought action against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over “baseless” statements regarding the twin blasts on Tuesday (May 5, 2026), even as the ruling AAP doubled down on its allegation that the attacks were part of the BJP’s plan to win next year’s Assembly poll.
On Tuesday (May 5, 2026), two low-intensity explosions were reported within a span of a few hours near military areas in Amritsar and Jalandhar. While Mr. Mann claimed the BJP was behind the “small blasts”, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav attributed them to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Probe ‘conspiracy’: BJP
On Thursday (May 7, 2026), a BJP delegation, led by State unit chief Sunil Jakhar, visited the police chief’s office to press for a probe into the “conspiracy” behind the CM’s allegation. The Opposition party leaders told the police to arrest them if evidence emerges of their involvement. Otherwise, action should be initiated against Mr. Mann and AAP leaders for levelling baseless allegations.
Mr. Jakhar said the CM’s statement was not only dangerous for communal harmony but also “seditious.”
“Whenever India raises the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism at international forums, Pakistan could now use the Chief Minister’s video statement in its defence,” he said.
‘Damage to India’
Mr. Jakhar added, “The Chief Minister’s remarks have damaged India’s image internationally. While Punjab’s DGP claims Pakistan’s ISI is behind the blasts, the Chief Minister is effectively giving Pakistan a clean chit, and therefore, a sedition case should be registered against him.”
The Punjab BJP president said the ruling party’s intention is to incite communal tension in the State for political gain. “The fact that multiple AAP leaders are making similar statements proves this is part of a choreographed and coordinated strategy by the party leadership to sow hatred in Punjab,” he said.
He said they would press for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the CM’s statements, adding that the BJP will employ all democratic measures to protect the State’s communal harmony.
‘Divisive politics’
In response, the CM said the BJP’s “anti-Punjab” mindset had been “exposed repeatedly”. Addressing a gathering at Raiya in Amritsar, he said, “The BJP thrives on hatred and divisive politics.”
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said the twin explosions were part of the BJP’s strategy for the 2027 election under “Mission Punjab”.
2017 ‘precedent’
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Delhi, Mr. Singh said, “Ahead of the 2017 Punjab election, when the Akali Dal-BJP alliance was in power, a similar blast occurred in Maur, and to date, no clarity has emerged regarding that incident.”
He said right after the West Bengal election, the BJP announced that Punjab was next on its agenda. “The BJP wants to carry out blasts, disturb peace, spread hatred, and incite conflict in the State,” he alleged.
Mr. Singh said Punjab would not tolerate attempts to disturb peace and that voters would give the BJP a fitting reply, ensuring forfeiture of BJP candidates’ deposits next year.
Published – May 08, 2026 05:05 am IST
