Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 4 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent meeting with farmer leaders has sparked sharp criticism from Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who questioned the CM's behavior and claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party leader needs "medical help".
Majithia accused CM Mann of failing to fulfill any of his promises to the state's farmers and criticized his actions during the meeting as "immature" and "shameful."
Speaking to ANI, Majithia said, "The CM's body language and attitude yesterday was very unbecoming of a CM. In the last three years, this govt has not fulfilled any promises made to the farmers. They are backing out from every promise have made, including promising MSP to farmers. They make promises and make u-turns on them."
"The CM's behaviour in the public domain is not right. All is not well. I am repeating that he needs medical help and support. Even the Speaker had asked him if he had drunk and come to the Assembly. Even when he was MP, his fellow MPs had complained about him," added Majithia.
Majithia's statement also pointed out the recent police action against protesting farmers and sought an apology from the Punjab CM.
"Today, when the farmers are asking the CM to fulfill the promises he made, the CM is taking action on them...Yesterday's incident was immature and shameful. I condemn the police action being taken today. Bahgwant Mann and AAP should apologise to the farmers and release them," he said.
Ahead of this, after protesting farmers claimed that Bhagwant Mann had got "angry" during a meeting, CM Mann said on Tuesday that he cancelled the meeting because the farmers wanted to continue their protest amid the talks.
The Chief Minister expressed his concerns about the frequent protests and blockades by farmers in the state, saying that these protests, such as "rail roko" and "sadak roko," are causing significant economic losses to the state.
Mann further warned that he is not afraid to take action but as the custodian of 3.5 crore people, he has to consider everyone's interests.
"I told farmers that every day you hold 'rail roko', 'sadak roko' protest...This is causing immense losses to Punjab. The state is facing economic losses. Punjab is becoming a state of 'dharna'. Don't take my soft-heartedness into thinking that I do not take action...I am a custodian of 3.5 crore people. I have to look after everyone," Mann said.
"In the meeting, I asked them about the protest the day after (on March 5), and they said it would go on. So, I told them What did you make me sit for an hour?...I indeed got up and left...I told them I did not call the meeting out of fear, I have met them earlier too, that I am your friend...But if you tell me that morcha would continue along with the meeting, I cancel the meeting, and you can continue with the morcha," Mann told reporters.
Earlier, protesting farmers claimed that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had got "angry" and "provoked" them during a meeting with him in Chandigarh.