The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has leveled serious allegations against central authorities, claiming Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann faced an unwarranted three-hour detention and a ₹50,000 fine at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport upon his return from Paris. The incident, which the party says occurred on Sunday, was brought to light through a video statement released on X on Tuesday by AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu.
Pannu asserted that airport officials deliberately delayed Chief Minister Mann, initially citing luggage checks as a pretext. He described the situation as a calculated effort to humiliate the chief minister. After Mann finally received clearance to leave, airport staff reportedly approached him just as he prepared to depart in his vehicle, allegedly stating they were acting under 'tremendous pressure from above' before issuing a challan for ₹50,000.
These accusations extend beyond the airport incident. The AAP leader directly blamed the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of obstructing Punjab's progress and undermining its interests. Pannu specifically criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration for allegedly denying permission for Mann's foreign trips on multiple occasions.
Mann's recent visit to Paris, Pannu clarified, followed a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Its primary objective was to showcase Punjab's products at SIAL Paris 2026, a significant international food trade exhibition. The Chief Minister aimed to attract crucial investment and foster economic growth for the state. Pannu reiterated that the
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📰 Source: Daijiworld