Rahul Gandhi targets Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over drug menace in Sangrur
The Congress leader alleged that the Chief Minister was under the influence of alcohol during their time together in the Lok Sabha.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for failing to tackle the drug problem in the state. Addressing the 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Gandhi alleged that during their time in the Lok Sabha, Mann would sit with others and tell jokes, but by 11:00 am, the smell of alcohol could be detected on his breath, according to reports by Times of India and Moneycontrol.
Gandhi clarified that while drinking is a personal choice, a Chief Minister cannot be under the influence every evening if they want to fight substance abuse. He stated that Punjab needs a leader who genuinely feels the pain caused by drugs and will fight for the state.
The Leader of Opposition also accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of being controlled from Delhi. He alleged that the reins of the state government are held half by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and half by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, while Mann just sits there.
Gandhi questioned the ability of the AAP government to fulfil its promise to eradicate the drug menace, asking from which corner of Punjab the drugs had been removed. He also linked the rise of gangsterism and drug abuse to a lack of economic opportunities, such as industries and factories.
The Congress leader further criticised Amit Shah regarding a three-year timeline to eradicate drugs and accused the Centre of sheltering gangsters inside prisons. He also renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a face-to-face debate.