The BJP on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress-led Punjab government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the poll-bound state was cancelled and accused it of “trying all tricks to scuttle” his events fearing defeat in the upcoming state polls.

PM Modi earlier today cancelled his scheduled visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur due to a major security breach. The PM was scheduled to visit Ferozepur to lay foundation stones for several development projects and address the people on the occasion.

PM Modi was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes after his convoy was blocked by some protestors, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In a series of tweets, BJP chief JP Nadda hit out at that the Congress government in the state over the incident, alleging that protestors were given access to the Prime Minister’s route while the senior police officials of the state had given assurances that the route is clear.

‘Cheap antics of Congress govt in Punjab’

The BJP chief said it is sad that the PM’s visit to launch development projects worth thousands of crores for Punjab was disrupted. He further said that they will not let “such cheap mentality” hinder the progress of Punjab and will continue the effort for the development of Punjab.

“Fearing a resounding defeat at the hands of the electorate, the Congress Government in Punjab tried all possible tricks to scuttle the PM @narendramodi Ji’s programmes in the state,” Nadda tweeted.

“In doing they did not bother that the PM was to pay tributes to Bhagat Singh & other martyrs, and lay the foundation stone for key development works. By their cheap antics, Congress Gov in Punjab has shown that they are anti-development & have no respect for freedom fighters too,” he added.

‘Punjab CM refused to take phone calls’

Terming the incident “a big security lapse”, the BJP chief alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi refused to take phone calls to address the matter.

“To make matters worse, CM Channi refused to get on the phone to either address the matter or solve it. The tactics used by the Congress government in Punjab would pain anyone who believes in democratic principles,” he said.

He further alleged that the state police was instructed to prevent people from attending the rally, adding that a large number of buses were stranded because of the “high-handedness of the police and connivance with protestors”.

BJP Punjab chief Ashwani Sharma also slammed the Congress and said that it cannot maintain law and order in state and has no right to be in the power in the state.

“If they can’t save democracy and maintain law and order in state, they have no right to be in power. We will release videos of buses carrying people to join rally tomorrow to show that there was no poor turnout at BJP rally,” he said.

Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani also launched an attack at the Congress and said that never before in the history of the country, a state government “knowingly constructed a scenario” where the PM will be brought to harm.

“We know Congress hates Modi, but today they tried to harm the Prime Minister  of India…Such is the breakdown in law and order in Punjab that the DGP claims he is incapable of providing support to PMO and PM security detail. The Congress must give an answer,” she said.

Assam CM demands high-level inquiry

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also termed the incident “a serious security lapse” and said that Congress is least interested in the development and only wants to do politics.

“It’s a matter of shame that PM Modi’s cavalcade was stopped by protesters on his way to launch development schemes for welfare of Punjab. This is a serious security lapse and the fact that the Punjab CM didn’t address the issue makes matters even worse,” Sarma told ANI.

The Assam Chief Minister also said that such a security breach in the crucial border state must be enquired at the highest levels.

“While PM is going all out to ensure holistic development of Punjab, today’s incident shows how Congress is least interested in the development and only wants to play politics,” he added.

Amarinder Singh reacts

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said that Channi and state’s Home Minister should quit as they could not give provide “smooth passage to the PM of the country”.

“Complete failure of law and order in Punjab, CM & HM Punjab, in particular. When you can’t provide smooth passage to PM of the country and that too just 10km from the Pakistan border, you have no right to stay in office and should quit,” he said.

Congress retorts to BJP’s allegation

Responding to Nadda’s allegation, the Congress party said that 10,000 security personnel were deployed for PM’s rally and that PM Modi took another route which “was not part of his original schedule to travel by road”.

“PM decided to take a road journey to Hussainiwala. It was not part of his original schedule to travel by road. Kisan mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) has been protesting against PM’s visit & Union Min, Gajendra Shekhawat has held two rounds of negotiation with them,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

The Congress leader said that PM Modi’s rally was cancelled as there were “no crowds” to listen to him and asked the BJP chief to stop “blame game” and introspect on his party’s “anti-farmer attitude”.

“Post farmer’s agitation, Modi Govt chose to totally ignore these promises. Finally, the reason for canceling rally is that there were no crowds to listen to Modiji. Stop blame game & introspect on BJP’s anti-farmer attitude. Hold rallies but listen to Farmers first!” he tweeted.