Rahul Gandhi attacks AAP government over Punjab drug crisis and Delhi influence
The Congress leader accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of being under the influence of intoxicants while failing to eradicate drugs.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of being controlled by leaders in Delhi. Addressing an 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Gandhi claimed the state government is not run independently and questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's ability to tackle the drug menace, according to reports by The Economic Times and Odisha Bytes.
Gandhi alleged that Mann would sit with lawmakers in the Lok Sabha and crack jokes, but his breath would smell of alcohol by 11 am. While stating that drinking is a personal matter, Gandhi said that a Chief Minister cannot be under the influence of intoxicants every evening if they want to fight drug abuse.
The Congress leader also questioned the AAP's promise to eliminate drugs, asking which part of Punjab had seen the menace eradicated. He argued that a lack of industrial activity, employment, and agricultural support is contributing to drug abuse and gangsterism in the state.
Gandhi recalled his meeting with the late singer Sidhu Moose Wala and questioned the withdrawal of the singer's security before his murder in May 2022. He also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate regarding allegations that the Congress is anti-national.
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj responded to the remarks, calling them personal, demeaning, and unworthy of a national leader. Bharadwaj alleged that Gandhi's comments showed a decline in his politics and that both the BJP and Congress were targeting Punjab.