Chandigarh, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu has accused the Narendra Modi-led Central Government of deliberately obstructing Punjab’s progress, alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was detained for three hours at Delhi airport after returning from Paris and subsequently issued a ₹50,000 challan.
Pannu claimed that the incident reflected what he described as the Centre’s repeated attempts to undermine Punjab’s interests and the dignity of its people. He linked the alleged treatment of the Chief Minister to the denial of permissions for foreign visits, the withholding of funds due to the state and the Centre’s handling of the farmers’ protest.
Accusing the BJP government of pursuing an anti-Punjab approach, Pannu said the Centre had repeatedly created hurdles for the state instead of supporting its development.
“Whether it is forcibly keeping farmers at Delhi’s borders for one-and-a-half years or withholding funds rightfully due to Punjab, the Central government has continuously tried to choke Punjab at every level,” he said.
Pannu further alleged that permission for Mann’s foreign visits had been denied at least four times because the Centre feared that overseas engagements could help the Chief Minister attract investment and funding for Punjab.
AAP Questions Treatment of Bhagwant Mann After Paris Visit
Referring to Mann’s recent visit to Paris, France, Pannu said the Chief Minister had travelled in accordance with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to launch Punjab’s products at what he described as the world’s second-largest food festival.
He claimed that the High Court had directed the Centre to ensure due protocol for Mann but alleged that the Consul General in Paris did not meet the Chief Minister.
Pannu also questioned the circumstances surrounding Mann’s return to Delhi. According to him, the Chief Minister was kept at the airport for three hours, with officials repeatedly citing pending luggage arrivals and checks as reasons for the delay.
He alleged that the situation took another turn when Mann was preparing to leave the airport after placing his luggage in his vehicle.
“Officials came running after him and said that they were under ‘tremendous pressure from above’. They then issued a challan of ₹50,000,” Pannu claimed, alleging that the officials’ remarks indicated that the action had been taken under pressure from higher authorities.
The AAP leader questioned whether any other state Chief Minister had faced similar treatment at an airport, describing the alleged detention and penalty as an affront to Punjab’s dignity.
Pannu Accuses Centre of Blocking Punjab’s Progress
Pannu maintained that the BJP-led government was reluctant to allow Punjab to advance under Mann’s leadership, alleging that the Chief Minister’s efforts to secure investment and improve the state’s economic prospects had been met with repeated obstacles.
He said the Centre should facilitate Punjab’s development rather than create difficulties for its elected government.
“The Central government does not want Punjab to progress in any field or for the people of Punjab to have a Chief Minister who works for their welfare,” Pannu said, reiterating his allegation that the Centre was deliberately creating hurdles for the state.
The allegations concerning the airport detention, the ₹50,000 challan and the role of Central authorities were made by the AAP Punjab media in-charge in his statement.
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