New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks regarding the landing of a plane carrying deported Indian citizens from the United States. Shergill stated that instead of raising questions, Mann should provide answers regarding the lack of employment opportunities in Punjab.

Shergill alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has failed to create job opportunities in the state, which has forced many young Punjabis to leave their homeland.

"Bhagwant Mann has no right to ask questions but today he has to give answers. He should answer, why is the youth of Punjab leaving Punjab? Is it because AAP has miserably failed to generate employment? The Punjabis who are being illegally deported from the United States are victims of fraud agents and fraud, of the failed AAP government in Punjab," Shergill said.

He further accused the Punjab CM of sensationalising the issue instead of addressing the real problems. "Bhagwant Mann, rather than creating unnecessary controversies and sensationalising the issue, should focus on how to restore Punjab's glory," he added.

BJP attacks Congress over confusion on deportation issue

Shergill also took a swipe at the Congress party, claiming that it is in a state of disarray regarding the issue.

"Congress is full of confusion and chaos. The Amritsar Congress MP is attacking the AAP government and asking them questions, while the Chandigarh Congress MP is attacking the central government. Congress should first convene a meeting in Punjab to understand who is supporting whom and then ask questions to the BJP government," Shergill remarked.

BJP leader Anil Sarin condemns Mann’s remarks

BJP general secretary Anil Sarin dismissed the controversy surrounding the landing location of the deportation flights, calling it "useless politics."

"The people who have been deported and are coming to India, there is no doubt that most of them are from Punjab. In the first plane of about 100 passengers, 33 were from Punjab, and in the plane of 119 coming today, 66 are from Punjab. Useless politics is being done over where the planes will land. The issue is who sent these people to America illegally. By spending lakhs of rupees, these people pay travel agents to go abroad illegally. Punjab government should tell what action it has taken against those travel agents. I strongly condemn the way Punjab CM spoke about the Prime Minister," Sarin said.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann questions Centre’s motives

In response to the deportation flights, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of deliberately choosing Amritsar as the landing location to malign Punjab’s image.

Mann claimed on Friday that the second plane carrying Indian citizens, who allegedly migrated to the US illegally, would land in Amritsar on Saturday. He questioned why Ahmedabad or any other location was not chosen instead.

"Sheikh Hasina landed in Hindon, Ghaziabad. Why can these (Indian citizens who allegedly migrated to the US illegally) not land in Hindon? They should land in the national capital; we will bring our people from there. Amritsar is being chosen deliberately to portray that only Punjabis are illegal migrants. Why is Ahmedabad or Ambala not chosen?" he asked.

Mann accused the BJP of conspiring to defame Punjab. "BJP always conspires to defame Punjab. They don't let international flights operate from Amritsar, claiming that it is not suitable for it, so why are flights coming in from the US now?" he said.

The Punjab CM also called for a change in the route of deportation flights, insisting that they should land in alternative locations.

"I will strictly oppose this. I demand that the route of the plane should be changed to Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad," Mann stated.

ANI