Bhagwant Mann Alleges “Political Vendetta” After Being Fined at Delhi Airport
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched a stinging attack against the BJP-led Union government, accusing federal authorities of orchestrating a targeted campaign of harassment against him. The claims stem from an incident at the Delhi airport upon his return from an official visit to Paris, where the Chief Minister alleges he was detained and fined Rs 50,000 under the pretext of customs protocols.
Speaking during a session at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mann described a tense two-hour ordeal at the airport. He alleged that customs officials singled him out and held him and his delegation in a holding area despite his status as a sitting Chief Minister. According to Mann, the officials eventually claimed “pressure from above” when questioned about the delay and the subsequent penalty.
Allegations of Nepotism and Revenge
In a serious escalation, the Punjab Chief Minister directly linked the incident to the Election Commission of India. Mann alleged that the official overseeing the customs department at the Delhi airport is the brother of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He framed the incident as a clear act of political retaliation by the Centre.
“This is how they take revenge,” Mann stated in the assembly, suggesting that the hurdles placed before his travel were a deliberate attempt to undermine his efforts to promote Punjab as a global investment hub. The state assembly has since passed an official resolution calling for an independent inquiry into the functioning of the Election Commission and alleged irregularities in the electoral process under CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
BJP Fires Back
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has categorically denied the allegations, labeling them as a desperate attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to deflect from genuine procedural lapses. Anil Sarin, the state general secretary for the Punjab BJP, dismissed the Chief Minister’s claims as “ridiculous” and “baseless.”
Sarin challenged Mann to provide the public with the official customs receipt and to clarify exactly what items were found in his possession that necessitated a fine. The BJP leader emphasized that security and customs protocols apply to all international travelers, asserting that while a Chief Minister may be exempt from personal screening, the same protocol does not automatically extend to their luggage or accompanying entourages. He further criticized Mann for politicizing routine customs duties to stir up controversy.
Investment and Future Travel Plans
The incident has cast a shadow over Mann’s recent international outreach, specifically his participation in the SIAL Paris 2026 food trade exhibition. The Chief Minister had previously moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court to secure political clearance for the trip after initially being denied permission by the Centre.
Addressing the assembly, Mann expressed concerns that Punjab’s economic agenda is being held hostage by federal political maneuvering. He also raised doubts about his upcoming travel, noting he has been invited to the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore this November. “If I wasn’t allowed to visit France without a struggle, how will they allow me to visit Pakistan?” he asked.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to voice his opposition to international trade agreements, cautioning that any policies that allow foreign commercial interests to dominate Indian agriculture would face fierce resistance from Punjab’s farmers.
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