When speaking of the recent floods in Punjab, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the Congress and its leaders over the reaction to the floods, saying that they were more interested in photo opportunities than in actual rescue operations. In the Vidhan Sabha, Mann attacked the Congress leadership, led by Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa, over a photo op they had made in a large amphibious vehicle, also known as a jonga, during rescue operations during the floods.
Leaving a tongue-in-cheek note, Mann told the story based on his experience as a comedian. They produced a jonga and thought that it was the right moment to take pictures. The car would accommodate 12 persons, although nine of them were already inside. There were just three remaining seats to real flood victims. They bickered to get the best shot, rather than saving people, Mann told the House.
The Chief Minister doubted the eagerness of the Congress leaders towards the rescue work by sarcastically asking them to show three of the people they reportedly rescued with the vehicle. They immersed themselves in a small portion of water, shot their photographs and then died. The jonga and themselves, were not seen again. That is not the way the victims of floods are rescued. The actual rescue must be to go into the water and assist the people themselves, he added.
The comments of Mann reveal the current strife between the ruling party, Aam Aadmi, and the opposition party, Congress, with the former citing alleged performative measures on the part of the latter in the case of natural disasters. The Chief Minister stressed that real action must be taken instead of actions that are symbolic, and that real management of floods must involve grassroots efforts instead of publicity.
The remarks are made in the light of the general public questioning the disaster response in Punjab, with citizens and political figures arguing about the efficiency of efforts made during the recent downpour and the increased water levels.
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