New Delhi [India], September 8 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday launched a sharp attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing his government of turning the state's flood crisis into a "Mann-made disaster."
Chugh alleged that unchecked illegal mining under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had weakened Punjab's riverbanks, resulting in large-scale devastation during the recent floods.
"The reason Punjab is being led towards disaster is the open permission given by the AAP's Bhagwant Mann government for illegal mining. This is a 'Mann-made' disaster. People of Punjab are paying the price for Bhagwant Mann's incompetence, failure, and inexperience," he told ANI.
He further said that the Bhagwant Mann government failed to conduct a real assessment of the flood-hit areas and was instead creating a fuss over a relief package. "Whereas the truth is that the Central Government has kept more than Rs 11,000 crore at Punjab's disposal for disaster management," he added.
Chugh also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally spoken to Chief Minister Mann and assured all possible assistance. "But the Bhagwant Mann government itself has not even conducted a real assessment of the damage, nor has it formed special teams," he said.
Meanwhile, the devastating flooding in Punjab has caused significant disruption in several districts, impacting countless families who now face challenges in meeting their basic needs. In response, the Punjab government is distributing relief materials extensively in the affected areas, with ministers taking an active role in supervising and reinforcing river embankments across the region.
In response to the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the flood-affected region of Gurdaspur in Punjab on September 9, as announced by the Punjab BJP on Sunday. PM Modi will review the rescue and relief work and meet with the families of people affected by the floods.
"Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is coming to Gurdaspur, Punjab, on September 9. He will meet directly with the flood-affected brothers-sisters and farmers to share their sorrow and take every possible step to help the victims," Punjab BJP said in a post on X."
This visit of the Prime Minister proves that the central BJP government always stands with the people of Punjab and will provide full support in this difficult time," they added.