‘Drowning in…': Haryana CM Nayab Saini slams Bhagwant Mann's remarks on PM Modi, demands apology
Terming them "inappropriate" and an affront to democratic values and dignity of constitutional positions, Saini asked Mann to seek an apology from the nation.
The Punjab chief minister had on Thursday criticised Modi for celebrating an honour from a foreign country with just 10,000 population while neglecting the pressing issues of his own nation with 140 crore people.
Mann has faced flak from several BJP leaders for the comment.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also expressed strong disapproval, calling the remarks "irresponsible".
Without naming Mann, the MEA said that the Government of India "disassociates" itself from the "unwarranted" comments made by a "high state authority" that undermined India's ties with friendly countries.
However, Mann raked up the issue again on Friday, this time in the state assembly, and asked Modi to "address the concerns" of 140 crore Indians.
On MEA's reaction, he asked whether he did not have the right to question a foreign policy.
Chiding Mann for his comments, Saini took to the microblogging site X on Friday night.
"Bhagwant Mann ji seems to have forgotten that he is commenting not only on the Prime Minister but also on the trust and leadership of 140 crore Indians. Instead of interfering in global politics, he should focus on his state, which is drowning in drug addiction, corruption and debt," he posted.
Saini said it is the result of Modi's efficient leadership and strong global policy that today, India is progressing shoulder to shoulder with developed nations worldwide.
"During a global pandemic like Corona, he not only acted as a shield to protect India but also delivered vaccines to many countries, and brought back Indians from abroad safely under the 'Vande Bharat Mission'," Saini wrote.
Referring to Mann's dig at Modi's foreign visits, Saini wrote that it is not only a violation of linguistic decorum but also an affront to democratic values and the dignity of constitutional positions.
"He should apologise to the nation for his inappropriate remarks," Saini wrote.
On Thursday, the Punjab chief minister had said, "Pradhan Mantri ji has gone to Ghana? Has he come back from Ghana? Will he come back today? He will be welcomed upon his return in the country...
"He is visiting Magneshia, Galveshia, Tarveshia (sic), we don't know where these are. (But) he is not staying in the country where 140 crore people live. These countries he visit have a population of 10,000, and he has got the biggest award there. Over here, that many people gather just to watch the JCB machine (earth-mover)," he said.
On Friday, participating in a debate in the Punjab assembly, Mann reiterated that the Prime Minister has no time to address the concerns of 140 crore Indians but has time to tour abroad.
"The MEA has reacted. Don't we have a right to ask the Prime Minister about his foreign policy? Do these countries that he visit support our nation afterwards? When our relation with Pakistan turned bad, did any of these countries stand by us?" an unfazed Mann asked.
Speaking to the media later in the day, Mann asked again, "Don't I have a right to question a foreign policy? What are you going there for? What have you done there? Tell us. Don't we have a right (to ask)?"
"I asked about a foreign policy under which wherever you (Modi) go, Adani's business starts there. It means that he takes him out there. Why don't you accept that you go there to get someone business? Don't we have the right to ask? We will ask. I will ask him this in future also," Mann had said.
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