Chandigarh Explosion Triggers Political Row; Mann Responds Sharply

A political controversy has intensified following an explosion outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Sector 37 of Chandigarh on Wednesday evening. The incident has led to sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the matter. Responding to the allegations, the Chief Minister issued a strong statement, countering the opposition’s claims. Taking to his social media platform X, Mann accused rival parties of consistently holding him responsible for a wide range of incidents occurring in Chandigarh. In his post, Mann listed several recent events, including a student protest at Panjab University, demonstrations by farmer groups against Delhi, and joint protests by political parties such as BJP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal. He stated that in each of these instances, the opposition had blamed him. The Chief Minister further pointed out that even cases such as alleged extortion threats and the recent explosion in Chandigarh were being attributed to him by his political rivals. He criticized what he described as a pattern of selective accountability. Mann also addressed the issue of Chandigarh’s administrative status, stating that when he asserts Punjab’s claim over the city, he is criticized, while at the same time being blamed for incidents in a Union Territory that falls under the Centre’s jurisdiction. He remarked that such contradictions in the opposition’s stance would no longer be effective. The blast incident has added to the ongoing political tensions in the region, with both sides exchanging आरोप and counter-accusations. Authorities have yet to release detailed findings regarding the explosion.