'Main Punjab Bolda Haan' debate on Nov 1, parties will have to answer for past misdeeds: CM Mann

Bhagwant Mann ji has forgotten that people of Punjab have chosen him to run the state but the CM time and again tries to hide behind the stage, said Jakhar.Jakhar had earlier suggested that a three-member panel be formed to moderate the debate.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said main political parties of Punjab will have to answer for their misdeeds during the 'Main Punjab Bolda Haan' -- a debate slated to be held on November 1 in Ludhiana.

The debate will be held at an auditorium of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

''The name of the debate to be held at Ludhiana on November 1 at 12 noon will be 'Main Punjab Bolda Haan'. The main political parties of Punjab which have been in power will present their side. Each party will get 30 minutes,'' Mann said in a post on X.

Mann had earlier dared Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for an open debate on issues concerning the state.

He had thrown the challenge in response to opposition parties' criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party government over the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

In a statement on Thursday, Mann said the debate will be centred around Punjab's ''loot'' in the past, referring to issues such as nepotism, toll plazas, the 2015 sacrilege case, river water-sharing, among others.

Daring leaders of other political parties to participate in an open debate before Punjabis and the media, the chief minister said they have deceived Punjab on these issues, and are answerable to the people.

Mann said the debate will give the people a clear picture on ''how they were betrayed'' while these leaders ''secured their own interests'' by committing ''unpardonable sins''.

''People of the state will never forget and forgive these leaders for the sinister moves against Punjab,'' he said.

Mann said the debate will be moderated by Nirmal Jaura, the director students' welfare (DSW) at PAU.

Punjab BJP chief Jakhar questioned if Jaura can be unbiased in conducting the debate given that he is a government employee.

''How can you expect a government employee to remain steadfastly neutral and impartial during a debate involving the state's chief minister,” Jakhar said.

Jakhar said there was no question over Jaura's capabilities as a writer, teacher and artiste, instead Mann's ''seriousness'' about Punjab's ''pressing issues'' is under cloud. “Bhagwant Mann ji has forgotten that people of Punjab have chosen him to run the state but the CM time and again tries to hide behind the stage,” said Jakhar.

Jakhar had earlier suggested that a three-member panel be formed to moderate the debate. He had proposed the names of former MP Dharamvira Gandhi, former MLA H S Phoolka and Kanwar Sandhu.

Jakhar reiterated that he would neither shy away from the debate nor would let the chief minister ''run away''. “I have accepted this challenge as someone needs to call out the CM's bluff. People need answers and the CM must come prepared for the same,” Jakhar added.

Inviting people to suggest issues that can be raised during the debate, Jakhar said they can send them to 7508560065 on WhatsApp.

The Punjab BJP chief said Punjab's water, education, health and law and order are prime concerns of every thoughtful Punjabi that needs redressal.

To the CM's tweet, Jakhar said it is ''amusing'' to see Mann trying to ''redraft the debate'' as seeking answers from opposition parties, rather than showing any willingness to provide answers.

Shiromani Akali Dal has termed it a ''sham debate'', and has said that the party would not be part of ''this anti-Punjab exercise''.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)