Congress, AAP Trade Barbs As Partap Singh Bajwa’s ’50 Bombs’ Remark Sparks Row

Last Updated:April 14, 2025, 18:02 IST

Punjab CM has warned of strict action if Bajwa’s claims were only meant to create panic. He also demanded the Congress party clarify its stand

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa addresses a press conference. (PTI file photo)

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has stirred controversy with his recent claim that “50 bombs have reached Punjab”, triggering a fierce war of words between the Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state.

The senior Congress leader had made the comment during an interview with a private television channel, claiming that, “I have come to know that 50 bombs have reached Punjab. Of this, 18 have exploded, 32 are yet to go off.”

Following the comments, Bajwa was questioned by Punjab Police on Sunday. A team led by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Ravjot Kaur Grewal had visited his residence to trace the source of his information.

Bajwa Booked For Spreading Misinformation

“Bajwa did not disclose any source or origin of this information… So far, he has not given any input useful to us,” AIG Grewal told the media after questioning Bajwa and called his statement a “matter of national security”.

Later the same day, Bajwa was booked for spreading false and misleading information that could endanger the country’s sovereignty and unity. The case was filed at the Cyber Crime police station in Mohali under sections 197(1)(d) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Mann Hits Back: ‘Do You Have Links with Pakistan?’

Reacting strongly to Bajwa’s statement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned the authenticity and source of the information.

In a video message shared on his X handle, shared shortly after the police team visited Bajwa’s residence, Mann said, “Neither Punjab intelligence nor any intelligence in the country has shared such information. Then how could you say that 18 bombs have exploded and 32 are yet to go off. It means somewhere you have direct links with Pakistan.”

Mann further warned of strict action if Bajwa’s claims were only meant to create panic. He also demanded the Congress party clarify its stand.

“Is Congress party hand-in-glove with anti-national forces and does it know how many bombs have reached and exploded? Congress party’s national leaders and Bajwa also should give clarification,” the Punjab CM added.

Congress Backs Bajwa, Slams AAP For ‘Intimidation’

The Congress, meanwhile, has stood firmly behind Bajwa. Party MP and general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh defended Bajwa’s remarks, saying they were based on media reports about a series of grenade blasts in Punjab over recent months.

“His statement was based on widely reported news in the media and came in the wake of nearly 16 grenade blasts in Punjab over the past six months,” Ramesh wrote in an X post shared on Monday.

He also accused the Punjab Chief Minister of resorting to intimidation and threats after a police team was sent to Bajwa’s residence. “Clearly, the Punjab Chief Minister –a bundle of insecurity and incompetence– and the corrupt AAP leadership is rattled and is resorting to intimidation, smear and threats. It will not work,” Ramesh stated.

Ramesh also remarked that the AAP-led government in Punjab has “completely collapsed” and asserted that the Congress will not be silenced.

“Governance in Punjab has completely collapsed. The Indian National Congress will not be silenced and will continue to raise the concerns of the people forcefully,” the Congress MP added.

Location :

Punjab, India, India