New Delhi, March 7 (AHN) The snowballing controversy over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's statement linking the recent blasts in the state to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resulted in criminal defamation notice and also demands for unconditional apology by the former, across all media platforms and social media.

Tarun Chugh, BJP National General Secretary, on Thursday served a legal notice to the Punjab Chief Minister, demanding withdrawal of his statement and a public apology within seven days.

The BJP leader took strong exception to Mann's "false, defamatory and inflammatory" allegations regarding the bomb blast incidents, accusing him of tarnishing the reputation and credibility of the political party.

The legal notice also carries a warning that if the Chief Minister fails to comply with the demands within a stipulated period of seven days, criminal prosecution for defamation should be initiated against him.

The controversy emanated on Wednesday after Punjab Chief Minister Mann launched his 'Shukrana Yatra' and alleged that the blasts were a part of BJP's "preparation" for the upcoming Assembly election in the state.

Mann's remarks invited quick rebuttals from senior BJP leaders, including Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who dared the Punjab Chief Minister to lodge a case against the party, if his claims carry any iota of truth or had any evidence.

Tarun Chugh, in his notice, has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mann of spreading misinformation, disseminating false and malicious allegations and also trying to destabilise public order with false and frivolous allegations.

Dubbing Mann's statement as "patently false, politically motivated, defamatory and intended to tarnish the reputation and public standing of BJP and its leadership", Chugh said that such irresponsible allegations have deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of BJP workers and supporters.

"Your reckless and unfounded allegations against a national political party, associating it with acts of terrorism, are not only legally untenable but also morally indefensible and against national interest," the defamation notice said.

The notice, putting out three clear demands -- withdraw all defamatory and malicious remarks, issue an unconditional apology and refrain from further such acts, said that non-compliance will invite criminal prosecution for defamation, proceedings for public mischief, and also civil action for substantial damages.