Punjab CM, Bhagwant Mann has responded to recent video controversy alleging that a fake video is being circulated to target him and damage his image and addressing the issue Mann claimed that "dirty politics" is being played against him and said his political opponents are trying to defame him through religion because they are unable to target him on other issues.
According to CM Mann the viral video does not resemble him in any way "There is no similarity in height, walking style or mannerisms but still the video was circulated widely and I was declared guilty" he said and talking about the same Mann claimed that many people who watched the video contacted him and told him that it was clearly fake.
He further said that after the video went viral his team got it examined through a forensic laboratory and CM Mann alleged that the owners of the laboratory later came under pressure and were targeted, claimed that leaders of BJP, Congress and Akali Dal were acting together in Punjab and realised that the video controversy was backfiring on them now, so they have stooped this low now and trying to discredit the reports as well.
According to Mann people started accusing them of spreading a fake video for political purposes and he alleged that the laboratory owners were threatened with the possibility of an FIR and were pressured into stating that they had been paid to prepare a false forensic report, talking about which Mann questioned why one laboratory's findings were being called fake while another's findings were being treated as genuine.
He said he was leaving the matter to the public stating that people know what is real and what is fake and CM Mann also alleged that his opponents are no longer left with any political issues and are now trying to damage his image on religious grounds. He claimed that this is a desparate attempt to defame him.
Mann described himself as an honest person and said he would continue working for people of Punjab and said his government would keep focusing on sectors such as education, healthcare and other public welfare initiatives adding that he would not be distracted by such controversies.
CM Mann also said that he is not affected by such campaigns as long as the people of Punjab continue to support him and appealed to political parties not to lower the level of politics and alleged that such tactics show a lack of genuine issues, Mann further claimed that some people were talking about putting up posters outside gurdwaras calling for his boycott.
CM Mann also referred to Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and questioned whether similar boycott campaigns were launched when Akali leaders had appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and accepted responsibility in matters related to sacrilege allegations and incidents involving police firing and water cannons.
Mann alleged that his opponents are acting out of arrogance and have no other political agenda and said they are unable to match the public gatherings he receives during his visits to villages and public meetings and therefore have joined hands to target him, he also alleged that the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal have formed a "joint front" against him and according to Mann, these parties are unable to attack him politically and are therefore attempting to defame him through religious issues.
Concluding his remarks Mann said he came to power with support of the people and is continuing to work for Punjab and expressed hope that the public would continue to support and trust him despite the ongoing controversy.
