Rahul Gandhi targets Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over drug menace
The Congress leader alleged that the Chief Minister could not fight substance abuse while being under the influence of alcohol.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to address the state's drug crisis. Speaking at the 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Gandhi alleged that Mann's conduct was relevant to the fight against substance abuse, claiming that during their time in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Minister's breath could smell of alcohol by 11:00 am.
According to reports by the Times of India and Moneycontrol, Gandhi stated that while drinking is a personal choice, a Chief Minister cannot be under the influence every evening if they want to fight the menace of substance abuse. He said Punjab requires a leader who genuinely feels the pain caused by drugs.
Gandhi further alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is being controlled from Delhi by Arvind Kejriwal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He claimed that while the reins are held by these two leaders, Mann just sits there, and that the state is being governed from Delhi.
The Congress leader also questioned Amit Shah's statement regarding the eradication of the drug problem within three years. Gandhi remarked that his assessment is that the current government will not last a year and challenged the Centre regarding the seizure of drugs, including heroin, at Adani's port in Gujarat.
Addressing the issue of law and order, Gandhi alleged that Amit Shah has been patronising gangsters by sheltering them inside prisons. He also referred to the situation in Manipur when questioning the Home Minister's claims.
Gandhi concluded by renewing his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a face-to-face debate, stating he would prove the Prime Minister is a 'desh-drohi' within five minutes of the discussion starting.