The political battle in Punjab has intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp personal attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the state's growing drug problem. His remarks about Mann's alleged alcohol consumption have triggered a strong reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), adding fresh tension to the political relationship between the two INDIA bloc partners ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Addressing the Congress's 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur on November 4, Rahul Gandhi accused the AAP government of failing to fulfil its promise to make Punjab free from drugs. Referring to his experience of sharing Parliament with Mann, Gandhi claimed that he could smell alcohol on the chief minister during parliamentary sittings as early as 11 am.
Gandhi clarified that consuming alcohol was Mann's personal choice but questioned how a chief minister could effectively lead the fight against substance abuse if he himself allegedly consumed alcohol regularly. He argued that Punjab needed a leader who genuinely understood the suffering of families affected by drug addiction.
The Congress leader also questioned the AAP government's claims about controlling the drug menace, asking which parts of Punjab had actually become free from narcotics. He highlighted the continued presence of synthetic drugs, heroin and other addictive substances as major concerns for the state.
Gandhi further accused AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of controlling the Punjab government from Delhi. He alleged that the state's administration was being influenced by leaders outside Punjab and promised that a Congress government would function independently from within the state.
The AAP responded sharply, describing Gandhi's rally as directionless and accusing him of focusing on personal attacks rather than presenting a clear development agenda for Punjab. The party also criticised the Congress's political record and questioned its ability to offer a credible alternative to the present government.
Gandhi also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his promise to eliminate drugs and criminal activities from Punjab by the end of 2029. He questioned the Centre's action against drug trafficking networks and alleged links between organised crime and political protection.
The rally also saw Gandhi recall the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, raising questions about security arrangements and the state's law-and-order situation.
The latest confrontation highlights the complicated relationship between the Congress and AAP. Although both parties are associated with the INDIA opposition alliance at the national level, they remain political rivals in Punjab.
With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the exchange signals an increasingly direct contest between the two parties over governance, drug control, employment and political leadership in the state.
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