'Will continue to ask': Bhagwant Mann rebuffs MEA's condemnation; says he has right to question PM's foreign tours
NEW DELHI: Punjab's chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday hit back at Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) condemnation of his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over foreign visits.
Speaking to reporters the Punjab CM said, "Don't I have the right to ask about the country's foreign policy and what did he do there? Why does Adani's business start wherever he (PM) goes? I will continue to ask in the future as well. With 140 crore people in the country, he should engage with them and address their concerns. He says he will stop the Ukraine war (Ukraine-Russia), but he can't even resolve water issues between Punjab and Haryana.
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— ANI (@ANI)
MEA on Thursday criticised recent comments made by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, calling them 'irresponsible and regrettable'. Without naming him directly, the MEA made it clear that the central government does not support such statements, which it said could harm India's relations with countries in the Global South.
'We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India's relations with friendly countries from the Global South.
These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,' said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
He added, 'The Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India's ties with friendly countries.'
The MEA's reaction came shortly after Mann made a series of sarcastic remarks targeting PM Modi's recent visits to countries like Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia.
Speaking to the media, Mann questioned the importance of these trips and mocked the destinations, saying, 'PM has gone somewhere. I think it is Ghana. He is going to be back and he is welcome. God knows which countries he keeps visiting — 'Magnesia', 'Galveaisa', 'Tarvesia'.'
He went on to say, 'He does not stay in a country with 140 crore people. He is visiting countries where the population is 10,000 and he is getting the 'highest awards' there. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB… What has he gotten himself into!'
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