Punjab CM Mann rubbishes BJP's claim that he wanted tableau to display his, Kejriwal's photos

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann challenges BJP's Sunil Jakhar to prove his accusation of using state tableau for personal promotion, or quit politics.

A day he was accused of intending to use the state tableau for personal promotion, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said he would quit politics if State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar proved his accusation.

Mr. Mann dismissed as a lie Mr. Jakhar's assertion that the government wanted the Republic Day parade tableau to carry Mann's and Arvind Kejriwal's photos.

The CM said that when Mr. Jakhar made these allegations at a press conference in Chandigarh on Thursday he was stuttering like only a liar would do.

Mr. Mann said that he, however, has sympathy for Mr. Jakhar who recently joined the BJP and had to "read out the script that was given to him."

Mr. Jakhar had accused Mann of politicising the non-inclusion of the state's tableau for the Republic Day parade and alleged that the AAP government insisted that the tableau carried his and Arvind Kejriwal's photos and this was one of the reasons why it was excluded for the R-Day event.

"The AAP government was adamant that Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann's photos should be on it, which is not allowed as per protocol. This was one of the reasons for the rejection of the Punjab tableau," Mr. Jakhar had said.