"BJP indulges in maximum hate speech": Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Speaking to ANI on the arrest of the AAP leader, Bhagwant Mann said, "The one who bought a health revolution in the country, built hospitals, Satyender Jain is in jail; the one who built schools in Delhi, made lakhs of poor children eligible for NEET, IT, and MBBS, Manish Sisodia is in jail. The one who spoke against Prime Minister Modi in the Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Singh is inside the jail and now Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. I don't understand if there is even a democracy in the country."

"If a TV journalist dares report something or a YouTuber makes a video against the party or its leaders, he will be accused of hate speech. BJP indulges in the maximum hate speech in the country. We (AAP) do politics of work not the politics of name, " said the Punjab Chief Minister.

Adding further, the Punjab Chief Minister alleged, "They (central government) stopped the funds of the National Health Mission for AAP's Mohalla clinics. How dare they stop Punjab's tableau. If it was in their control, they would remove the name of Punjab from the National Anthem."

"They want no opposition leaders to be able to campaign for the upcoming elections. He (Prime Minister Modi) is walking in the footsteps of Vladimir Putin. This is a dictatorship," added Mann.

Meanwhile, police used water cannons in Punjab's Mohali to disperse the supporters of AAP, who were staging a protest against the arrest of Delhi CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal by ED, in connection with the excise policy case, last night.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier on Thursday reaffirmed the party's unwavering support for Kejriwal, stating that they stand by him 'like a rock'.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X in Hindi, wrote, "You will arrest Arvind Kejriwal but how will you arrest his thinking? Arvind Kejriwal is not a person but an idea and we stand with our leader like a rock. Inquilab Zindabad!

"Labeling the enforcement directorate as the 'political team' of the BJP, following Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in a post on X wrote, "BJP's political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal's thinking, because only AAP can stop BJP. Thinking can never be suppressed."

Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had produced Kejriwal before Rouse Avenue Court under tight security.

While entering the court complex Kejriwal told reporters, "My life is dedicated to the country whether I am inside or outside the prison."

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case on Thursday after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Kejriwal from coercive action in connection with the excise policy case.

Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI)