Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning both central and state governments commitment to tackling substance abuse and alleging that the state was being governed from Delhi
Published: November 4, 2026, 5:55 PM IST
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ok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi addresses the ‘Insaaf Rally’, in SangrurANI
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi teared into Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government on Wednesday, criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the drug menaceHe said further questioned the government’s commitment to tackling substance abuse and alleging that the state was being governed from DelhiAttacking Mann and his cabinet, Gandhi said, “Punjab being run half by Amit Shah and other half by Kejriwal, while Bhagwant Mann just sits on CM chair.”
Addressing the ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, Rahul Gandhi said that the AAP government had come to power on the promise of eradicating drugs from Punjab but had failed to fulfil its commitment“The Aam Aadmi Party came to power, and you placed your trust in them, in Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi PartyThey promised that they would eradicate the drug menaceI ask you: where have they eliminated it? From which corner of Punjab have they managed to remove drugs? They are simply incapable of eradicating this menace,” he said.
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Taking a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his assurance to eliminate the drug problem within three years, Gandhi questioned the timeline and predicted that the BJP-led government at the Centre would not last another year“What timeline did they (Union Home Minister Amit Shah) set for the drug issue? Within three years? In three years, Amit Shah won’t even be the Home Minister anymoreMy assessment is that this government won’t even last a yearAnyway, Amit Shah claims he will eradicate the drug problem in three years,” he said.
पंजाब ने AAP पर भरोसा किया, भगवंत मान पर भरोसा किया। वादा था – नशा मिटा देंगे।
मैं पूछता हूं, पंजाब के किस कोने से आपने नशा मिटाया?
पंजाब को ऐसा मुख्यमंत्री चाहिए जो उसका दर्द समझे, नशे के खिलाफ पूरी ताकत से लड़े और युवाओं का भविष्य बचाए।
भगवंत मान जी, सवाल पंजाब की एक पूरी पीढ़ी का है। जवाब दीजिए।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 4, 2026
Gandhi also criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, making allegations about his drinking habits and questioning his ability to lead the campaign against substance abuse“I was in the Lok Sabha with himHe (Punjab Chief Minister) used to sit with us and tell jokes, right there, sitting among usBy 11:00 AM, you could smell alcohol on his breathNow, I am not saying that Bhagwant Mann shouldn’t drink; that is his personal affairIf he chooses to drink, that is entirely his own businessBut if you truly want to fight the menace of substance abuse, your Chief Minister cannot be under the influence every single eveningYou 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 Congress leader further alleged that the state government was not exercising independent control over Punjab’s administration and that political leaders based in Delhi were influencing its functioning“People here need a government that works for PunjabWhen the Congress party comes to power, the government of Punjab cannot be run from DelhiOur party runs the Punjab government from within PunjabOur Chief Minister is truly the Chief Minister of PunjabPunjab is not run by India’s Home Minister, nor is it run by an ex-Delhi Chief Minister,” Gandhi said“Right now, however, the reins are held half by Amit Shah and half by Kejriwal, while Bhagwant Mann just sits therePunjab is being governed from Delhi,” he added.
Gandhi also stressed the need to strengthen Punjab’s industrial and agricultural sectors, stating that the availability of employment opportunities and economic growth was important to addressing the drug menace and gangsterism in the state“Many years ago, when I first visited Punjab, I pointed out that the drug menace was spreading thereThe opposition, the BJP, the Akali Dal, and others, claimed that Rahul Gandhi knew nothing about Punjab and that drugs were not spreading in the state,” he said.
He further emphasised that Punjab needed industries, factories and a strong agricultural sector to create economic opportunities for its youthHe warned that a lack of employment opportunities and economic development could contribute to the growth of drug abuse and gangsterism, potentially leading to increased violence on the streetsThe Congress leader’s remarks come ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with the BJP, Congress and the ruling AAP among the political parties expected to be in the electoral contestIn the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the AAP secured 92 of the state’s 117 seats, while the Congress won 18 seats, forming the basis of the current political landscape in the state.
