Chandigarh, May 18 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday attacked the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of pushing the country into an undeclared lockdown while hiding the true state of the economy from people.
Alleging that the Centre “artificially suppressed” fuel prices until recent assembly elections in several states and is now “burdening” citizens immediately afterwards, Mann demanded that the Union government disclose the actual status of the country’s oil, gas, and gold reserves.
Mann was speaking to reporters in Patna after offering prayers at the Takht Sri Harmandir ji Patna Sahib.
The CM said the Narendra Modi-led government has “effectively imposed an undeclared lockdown” on the country.
“The consequences of these restrictions are being borne by the entire nation while the Centre continues to hide the real condition of the economy from people,” he claimed.
“The people of the country have the right to know the truth about the economic situation. The Centre should place complete information regarding oil, gas, and gold reserves before the public instead of concealing facts,” he said.
Targeting the Centre over fuel price hikes, Mann said the central government deliberately refrained from increasing prices before assembly elections in various states but immediately after the elections concluded, fuel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre.
He said, “Under the guise of war in West Asia, people are being crushed under the burden of inflation through repeated fuel price hikes.” Taking a swipe at the PM, Mann said if Narendra Modi cannot himself explain the country’s present economic condition and foreign policy, then he should ask “his friend, US President Donald Trump, about it”.
Speaking about “restrictions” being imposed on citizens, Mann said it was ironic that Modi was advising people to avoid foreign travel while he himself was travelling abroad.
He said the country was passing through strange circumstances where ‘work from home’ was being promoted but the real truth was being hidden from people.
Mann stated that people should not suffer inconvenience because of the whims and fancies of leaders and termed the situation “unwarranted and undesirable”.
On the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Punjab, the chief minister said the process would begin in the state from next month and the Aam Aadmi Party has directed all its volunteers to remain vigilant throughout the exercise.
He asserted, “Neither genuine voters will be allowed to be removed nor fake voters will be allowed to be added in Punjab.” He stated that any attempt to muzzle democracy in the state would be strongly opposed and given a befitting reply.
Speaking about the law enacted to prevent sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, Mann said the AAP government has implemented such a stringent law that nobody would even dare to think of committing ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) now.
“With the implementation of the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, a long-pending demand of Sikhs across the world has finally been fulfilled,” he added.
He further added that the Punjab government is fully committed to implementing the law in its true letter and spirit.
After paying obeisance at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Mann said Punjab has shown the entire country the path to protecting the honour of the Gurus by enacting the strictest law against sacrilege.
He also appealed to state governments across the country to bring similar tough laws, asserting that Punjab was ready to extend every possible help in this regard. PTI CHS KVK KVK
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