Delhi has blamed Punjab’s farm fires for the suffocating smog and Pakistan’s Punjab, too, has repeated the charge with Maryam Nawaz, CM of Pakistan side of Punjab, reportedly contemplating writing to CM Bhagwant Mann on the subject. To both -- Centre and Pakistan -- Mann came out with a witty quip: “Looks like our Punjab smoke is on a world tour!” Mann then sarcastically urged Maryam to write to him about her “woes.” Maryam has alleged polluted smoke travelling from this side of Punjab to Lahore where the air quality index has hit the highest level of pollution. Mann called for unity rather than finger-pointing .
Mann shows his love for fans at poll rally
At a bypoll rally in the state, Mann was greeted with an affectionate “Bhai, love you.’’ The Punjab CM, who was listing out his government’s pro-people policies, when the same supporter added more sugar to his affection: “Love you 2, 3 and 4 times.’’ The CM paused before winsomely responding with: “It (his appreciation) is 5, 6 and 7 times.’’ He went on with his remarks about his love for the people. “Anyone can meet him and take selfies.” He said people were generally afraid of meeting leaders of other parties, as if “they would be robbed of their valuables.”
Channi, Bittu & Neetu – the fight goes on
Old adversaries, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, were at it again during bypoll campaigning. While speaking at Barnala, Channi said that even Neetu Shattran Wala could become the CM but not Bittu. Neetu became a social media star after he wept inconsolably on camera claiming he had got just five votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Jalandhar though his family had nine members. In his response, Bittu said that it was for the first time that a CM lost from both seats that he contested in the 2022 assembly elections. Bittu also accused Channi of being involved in a #MeToo case, claiming he had sent indecent messages to a senior IAS officer in November 2018.
Harpreet Bajwa
Our correspondent in Chandigarh
hsbajwa73@gmail.com