Rahul Gandhi alleges Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann smells of alcohol by 11 am
The Congress leader questioned the Chief Minister's ability to fight the state's drug crisis during a rally in Sangrur.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Wednesday that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann smelled of alcohol by 11 am during their time together in the Lok Sabha. Speaking at the Congress ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha made these personal remarks while addressing the state's narcotics problem, according to reports by Hindustan Times and Odisha Bytes.
Gandhi stated that while he had no objection to Mann's personal choice to drink, the Chief Minister could not be under the influence every evening if he intended to fight substance abuse. He claimed that during their years as parliamentarians, Mann would sit with colleagues and tell jokes, but would carry the smell of alcohol on his breath by late morning.
The Congress leader also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah's pledge to make Punjab drug-free within three years, questioning if Shah would even be in office after that period. Gandhi further linked the lack of industries and employment to the rise of gangsterism and violence in the state.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responded to the remarks, with Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj calling them cheap and personal attacks. Bharadwaj alleged that both the BJP and Congress have made Punjab a joint target and claimed that allegations of drug use have been made against Gandhi in the past.
During the rally, Gandhi also raised concerns regarding law and order in Punjab and invited the father of a deceased singer onto the stage. He alleged that the Punjab government is being operated from Delhi and promised that the state would have an independent Chief Minister if Congress returns to power.