Bhagwant Mann, Punjab’s chief minister, has confirmed that he will travel to Paris in mid‑October to represent the state at the SIAL 2026 trade exhibition, a major event that showcases agricultural and food‑processing products to a global audience. The visit, which is part of a larger effort to boost Punjab’s agri‑business ties, is scheduled to run for several days in the heart of the French capital.
BJP national headquarters in‑charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh accused the CM of prioritising a personal birthday celebration over the state’s urgent issues. "Gangsters running amok when the chief minister goes for a fun trip," Chugh said on a televised debate, citing rising drug‑related deaths in rural Punjab and recent grenade attacks on police stations.
On 17 October, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu took to Twitter, demanding that the Punjab government disclose the official invitation from the French government, the full list of delegation members, and a detailed accounting of the trip’s cost. Bittu added, "Punjab’s treasury is not a family holiday fund! Bhagwant Mann must disclose the purpose, expenses and official invitation."
Shri Bikram Singh Majithia of the Shiromani Akali Dal also weighed in, questioning the necessity of the CM’s presence in Paris when the invitation was specifically extended to the Punjab State Co‑op Supply and Marketing Federation (Markfed). He called the trip a “birthday vacation” and urged the government to clarify why the CM would attend.
In response, the Punjab government spokesperson said the state would release the formal invitation, delegation roster and expense report by 24 October, citing transparency and accountability as priorities. The spokesperson also reiterated that the trip’s cost would be borne by the state budget, not taxpayers’ money.
The controversy has hit home for many Punjabis. In the village of Jhumra, 32‑year‑old farmer Harpreet Singh’s wife is among those who will accompany the CM, while the family mourns the loss of their son, who died in a drug‑related incident last year. The local council chairperson, who is waiting for the dearness allowance for government employees, has called for a public hearing on the matter.
tags: ["Punjab", "Bhagwant Mann", "France Trip", "SIAL 2026", "Opposition Critique"]