Centre will blame West Asia conflict for failures, says Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the Centre over rising fuel prices, alleging that the Union government would blame the West Asia conflict for its failures. He also accused the Centre of pushing the country towards an undeclared lockdown and hiding economic realities

Chandigarh: Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday attacked the Centre, saying the Union government would now blame the West Asia conflict for all its “failures”.

He alleged that the Centre was pushing the country towards an “undeclared lockdown” while “hiding” the true state of the economy from people.

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“They will increase it many times. In reality, Modi ji will now blame the war for everything. They will say the war is going on,” Mann said while replying to a question on another increase in fuel prices.

The chief minister was speaking to reporters after launching a pilot project on underground electricity wires in Satoj village in Sangrur.

He said the Centre should disclose the stock of fuel and LPG available in the country.

He also referred to claims made earlier by several Union ministers that there would be no increase in fuel prices.

“Now, immediately after the conclusion of the Assembly elections in several states, they have started speaking about saving the country. But before the elections, the country was doing fine,” Mann said, as he blamed failed economic and foreign policies for the hike in fuel prices.

“Gradually, they are restricting everything. They are asking car owners not to use cars, they are asking people not to go to offices, work from home, do not buy gold, do not hold functions.

“You should clearly say the country is to be locked down. It is the total failure of the central government,” Mann said.

Taking a swipe at Narendra Modi’s foreign visits, Mann asked, “When he visits abroad, what does he do there? Has he ever informed us? Has he ever held a press conference in the past 14 years?”

“The war is in Iran. The US, Israel, Palestine and Lebanon are fighting. But why are restrictions imposed in our country? Why are such restrictions not imposed in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh? Why only India?” he said.