PM travels abroad without an invitation. We can’t ask him questions. Bhagwant Mann puts in more effort

Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, raising concerns over the Center’s foreign policy position and the recent controversy surrounding a Pakistani actor’s role in Diljit Dosanjh’s movie.

Mann responded, “Don’t we have the right to ask the PM what foreign policy is?” to the criticism from the MEA. Who has been our ally? Then why are you relocating?

He charged that the prime minister routinely traveled to other nations without any discernible diplomatic objectives or results. “PM is traveling to countries whose names we don’t even know.” accepting honors from such tiny countries. When a JCB is working here, the same number of people congregate here,” he remarked sarcastically.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann came under heavy fire from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday for his recent comments mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international trips, which the ministry described as “irresponsible and regrettable.”

MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have seen some remarks made by a high state authority regarding India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South,” without mentioning Mann by name. These statements are regretful, careless, and unworthy of state authority.

“Ads coming that Modi has stopped a war between two nations,” Mann added, mocking the government’s hoopla around such visits. So why is the PM unable to settle disputes between Punjab and Haryana?
Mann referred to PM Modi’s unexpected trip to Pakistan in 2015, saying, “The PM sometimes travels to other countries without even being invited. He landed in Pakistan to eat biryani.” The PM may travel to Pakistan, but we are unable to.

Mann questioned the selective anger in response to the scandal surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s next film, which stars a Pakistani actor. “There is currently a dispute around the film “Gaddar,” which was made a long time ago and in which Pakistani actor Diljit Dosanjh starred. Sometimes they say Sardar, sometimes Gaddar,” he said.

“We don’t have water and I have told the Center government,” the Punjab Chief Minister stated, turning the conversation to water-related issues. Additionally, I informed the Center that since we will be receiving 23 MAF water, we should not regress on the Indus water pact. We should obtain water if they intend to create rivers in Punjab.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) was criticized by him as a burden on Punjab. “BBMB is a complete waste of money. Punjab contributes 60% of its costs, but BBMB opposes us,” Mann claimed.

“Now they say CISF will be deployed there,” he said, voicing his opposition to the CISF’s presence at BBMB installations. The cost of one Sepoy is 97,000. We received some outstanding bills from them totaling Rs 7.5 crores. Why CISF? The Punjabi police are sufficiently skilled.

“The Punjab government was sent a bill of Rs. 2.5 crores for paramilitary deployment when the Pathankot attack took place,” Mann added, citing an earlier incident.

“We Punjabis fought all the battles/wars and protected borders,” he added, underscoring the role Punjabis play in national defense and food security. We can save Nangal Dam if we can safeguard Kargil and its boundaries. Thus, CISF is not necessary. We provide the country with tons of wheat and rice.