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Nov 1, 2023 6:30 PM - The Canadian Press

CM Bhagwant Mann attends open debate alone, verbally attacks empty chairs

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BJP President Sunil Jakhar raised questions on Chief Minister Bhagwant's open debate, saying that the police did not allow the common people to enter the debate. (Photo: X/Bhagwant Mann)

The open debate on Punjab issues has been boycotted by the opposition parties.

The open debate hosted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was held at the Dr. Manmohan Singh Auditorium of the Punjab Agricultural University, in which no leader of the opposition attended.

CM Mann directed his hand towards the empty seats and launched sharp verbal attacks on the political opponents.

He said that these leaders did not have any answers to their questions, that is why they ran away today.

Speaking during the 'I speak Punjab' debate, the Chief Minister said that these leaders could not find a single flaw against me and my government for the past 25 days, due to which they could not come before me on issues related to Punjab.

On the other hand, the leader of the opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, said that it is a matter of regret that the great debate has become a drama instead of a debate.

Along with this, BJP President Sunil Jakhar raised questions on Chief Minister Bhagwant's open debate, saying that the police did not allow the common people to enter the debate.

He satirized the deployment of police and said that this program was to be conducted in Police Academy Phillaur.

With this, there was no need to seal Ludhiana city and Punjabis would not have to suffer.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal has also said that curfew was imposed, public entry was banned, anti-riot teams were deployed, representatives of organizations were detained and neutral media was stopped.

He wondered that what kind of "open" debate was this.

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