Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann faced an unexpected delay upon returning from his official visit to Paris, as he was allegedly held at the Delhi Airport for nearly three hours. The incident has triggered a sharp political controversy, with leaders from the ruling regional party launching scathing attacks against the central administration and accusing authorities of intentionally creating administrative hurdles.
Allegations Raised by Party Officials
According to statements released by party media representatives, the Chief Minister was subjected to a prolonged halt after landing from abroad, during which a penalty of 50,000 rupees was also issued. Officials claimed that customs personnel hinted at severe pressure from higher authorities behind the scenes. The ruling camp in Punjab framed this episode as a continuation of ongoing friction between the state and central administrations.
Reactions From Senior Party Leadership
Prominent figures within the party further criticized the central authorities over the handling of the situation. Leaders pointed out that the visit to Paris was aimed at promoting local agricultural products and global trade opportunities for the state. They argued that such actions reflect persistent attempts to create obstacles for state representatives who travel abroad for official engagements.
Judicial Intervention Preceded the Trip
The overseas journey itself had been a subject of previous political friction. After failing to secure political clearance from the external affairs ministry, the state administration had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Following judicial intervention, formal permission was granted to undertake the trip aimed at showcasing regional agricultural offerings at an international food exhibition in France.
Opposition Claims and Counter-Allegations
Meanwhile, opposition figures presented a contrasting narrative regarding the airport events. Senior opposition leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that the halt involved both the Chief Minister and his spouse Gurpreet कौर, citing alleged violations of customs regulations.
Customs Scrutiny and Official Protocol
Opposition statements suggested that officials questioned the travelers regarding goods or currency exceeding permissible limits before eventually allowing departure, while additional baggage checks were ordered for accompanying staff members. The conflicting claims from various political factions have intensified public debate surrounding the airport incident, leaving the exact administrative reasons for the delay open to ongoing political dispute.
