Sangrur rally: Rahul Gandhi attacks CM Bhagwant Mann over drugs

Addressing the party's 'Insaaf rally' in village Fagguwala of Sangrur district on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi directly targeted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the issue of drugs. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government has proved completely incapable of fulfilling its promise of eradicating drugs from Punjab.

Recalling the time spent with Bhagwant Mann in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said that they used to sit together in Parliament and the smell of alcohol used to come from him as early as 11 am. He said that drinking alcohol could be a personal matter, but if drugs are to be eradicated from the state, the Chief Minister cannot remain in a state of intoxication every evening.

He alleged that the reins of the Punjab government are not in the hands of the state but are being controlled from Delhi. He said that half the reins of the government are in the hands of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and half with Arvind Kejriwal, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is merely sitting. He claimed that when the Congress government comes to power, Punjab's administration will be run from within Punjab itself.

During the rally, Rahul Gandhi called late singer Sidhu Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh Sidhu to the stage. Recalling his meeting with Moosewala, he said that he was a talented young man and he wanted to keep him safe politically as he was stepping into a dangerous field.

He said that to eradicate drugs and gangsterism in Punjab, it is necessary to strengthen industries, jobs, and the agricultural sector. Along with this, he also reiterated his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate sitting face-to-face on any platform.

Key developments

• Congress 'Insaaf rally' held in Fagguwala, Sangrur
• Rahul Gandhi launches sharp attacks on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over drugs
• Alleges that the Punjab government is being run from Delhi
• Late singer Sidhu Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh present on stage