Bhagwant Mann's Japan Hockey Trip Blocked, Centre Denies Political Clearance
The Indian central government has denied political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to visit Japan for the Asian Games. The state government had intended to use the trip to prepare for hosting an upcoming international hockey tournament.
Why it matters
The denial of travel clearance is expected to escalate political tensions between the state and central governments ahead of assembly elections.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's proposed Japan visit to watch the Indian men's hockey team's Asian Games semi-final on October 1 has been denied political clearance by the Centre, putting a halt to a trip that the Punjab government had linked to both hockey and preparations for the state's upcoming international tournament. The proposed visit had assumed added significance for Punjab with eight of India's 20-strong hockey squad being from the state and an international tournament Punjab is expected to host.. The Asian Hockey Federation had invited Mann and a Punjab government delegation to attend the concluding stages of the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games hockey competition.
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