Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging that the state continues to grapple with the serious problem of ‘Chitta’ (adulterated heroin).
Addressing an ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, Rahul Gandhi accused the AAP government of failing to deliver on its electoral promises and alleged that Punjab was being governed from Delhi.
“Many years back, I had said that drugs are spreading in Punjab. The BJP and the Akali Dal at that time said Rahul Gandhi does not know anything about Punjab, downplaying the drug menace,” Gandhi said.
“People need a government that works for Punjab. Not like AAP, which is run from Delhi,” the Congress leader said.
Taking a swipe at the ruling AAP, the Congress leader questioned its performance and asked, “Which poll promises have you fulfilled?”
Rahul Gandhi also targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the growing drug abuse, referring to his time with Mann in the Lok Sabha.
“I was in the Lok Sabha with him. He (Punjab CM) used to sit with us and tell jokes, right there, sitting among us. By 11:00 AM, you could smell alcohol on his breath.
“Now, I am not saying that Bhagwant Mann shouldn’t drink; that is his personal affair. If he chooses to drink, that is entirely his own business. But if you truly want to fight the menace of substance abuse, your Chief Minister cannot be under the influence every single evening.
“You need someone who will fight for Punjab, someone who genuinely feels the pain caused by drugs, someone who carries the pain of Punjab in his heart,” he said.
The Sangrur rally marks the launch of the Congress’ political campaign in Punjab, with Rahul Gandhi leading the party’s outreach ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Here are some top quotes from Rahul Gandhi’s Sangrur rally
– Stepping up his attack on the BJP-led Centre, Rahul Gandhi also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate over allegations that the Congress is ‘anti-national’.
“Come anywhere, sit with me and debate,” he said, challenging the Prime Minister to debate the allegations.
– Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday recalled his meeting with slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and said the “mindset” that shot him was now “roaming around every nook and corner of Punjab”.
“What happened to his son has now become a fashion in Punjab. The mindset that shot Sidhu Moosewala in front of everyone, without any fear, that same mindset is roaming around every nook and corner of Punjab today,” Gandhi said.
“Whoever has talent, whoever has skill, like Sidhu, who wants to progress based on his talent, wants to work for Punjab, wants to work for the country, they threaten him, they scare him, and then shoot him in front of everyone,” he added.
– Gandhi spoke on drugs and crime in the state.
“Many years ago when I came, I had said drugs are spreading in Punjab. All the people in the opposition said, BJP, Akali Dal, whoever they were, that Rahul Gandhi knows nothing about Punjab; drugs are not spreading in Punjab,” he said.
“If there is no industry, no factories, no farming, no agriculture, then there will be drugs, there will be gangsterism, and bullets will be fired on the streets,” he said, attacking the ruling party for failing to drive away the drug menace in Punjab.
– Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged party workers to unite and focus on winning Punjab, saying, “Today, I have come to make a request: if we win Punjab, we will win all of India… Victory must begin here, and to achieve it, we must all stand united.”
– Kharge also criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, alleging that the state was facing serious problems of drug abuse and corruption.
“Beyond the issue of ‘stolen’ votes, this (state) govt is truly abysmal, which is defined by drug abuse and corruption. It is a govt that destroys the lives of our children and ruins the lives of our farmers… Is this what you call a ‘good govt’? Is this why you came to power? You ruined Delhi, and then you moved here, only to leave everything in ruins,” he said.
In another attack on the AAP government, the Congress president alleged that public money was being sent from Punjab to Delhi and accused the party of acting as the BJP’s “B-team”.
“The Punjab government is a government of drugs and corruption. I have not seen such a corrupt government in my 60 years of public life. Money is being sent from here to Delhi. They are the BJP’s B-team. Wherever we are winning, they interfere – in Gujarat and Goa, they have also meddled. Why are you promoting the BJP and the RSS? Such people must be taught a lesson; otherwise, Punjab will be destroyed. You have already ruined Delhi, and now you will come here and ruin everyone else as well,” Kharge said.