Sangrur, Nov 4 — Punjab is facing a crisis of governance, rising drug addiction, unemployment and mass migration under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Congress leaders of Punjab said on Wednesday, asserting that Congress was the only party capable of restoring the state's development trajectory.
The comments come in line with Congress’ Insaaf rally in Sangrur, addressed by the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, with Congress leaders of the state describing it as an important event to raise issues concerning the rights, future and justice for the people of Punjab.
Addressing the political situation in Sangrur, Punjab, Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of betraying the trust of the people, who had given AAP an opportunity to govern the state.
Speaking to IANS, he said, “Bhagwant Mann has cheated the people of Punjab. People gave him a chance and saw that nothing is safe under AAP rule: not any business, nor a family, not anyone's life, neither the children nor the youth,” he said.
Bajwa claimed that Punjab was witnessing large-scale migration, with educated and financially secure families sending their children abroad, while those unable to afford migration were increasingly vulnerable to problems such as drug addiction.
He said the state could no longer afford political experiments and needed to be rebuilt through a sustained development strategy.
“Punjab has made up its mind. The only party that can save Punjab now is Congress. We have a good track record; we have people who are educated and have administrative experience. Punjab can't experiment anymore. The state has to be fixed brick by brick,” he said.
Bajwa also emphasised the importance of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's role in the party's future, saying Punjab needed his leadership and that the party viewed him as a national leader in 2029.
Recalling the development initiatives undertaken during the Congress governments led by Jawaharlal Nehru, he cited the establishment of Chandigarh, the Green Revolution, the Bhakra Dam, irrigation infrastructure and universities as examples of the party's contribution to Punjab.
He said Congress wanted to revive a similar phase of development and claimed that the reopening of traditional trade routes and access to international markets would help revive Punjab's industrial and commercial sectors if the party returned to power at the Centre in 2029.
“These sources are closed right now; we need to get them open. If they are opened, only then will Punjab be able to develop,” he said.
Congress leader Vijay Inder Singla, meanwhile, accused the AAP government of failing to control drug trafficking, organised crime and unemployment in the state.
Singla alleged that drugs were being sold door to door and weapons were entering Punjab through its international borders, despite the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF).
He also criticised the Centre over the expansion of the BSF's jurisdiction in Punjab from 15 km to 50 km from the international border, alleging that the border was still being used to smuggle drugs and weapons through drones.
Questioning the law and order situation, Singla referred to incidents of gang violence, murders and threats against people who raised their voices against the government.
He alleged that unemployment and the lack of private investment had contributed to the worsening situation, claiming that businesses were reluctant to invest in Punjab amid concerns over security and drug addiction.
“The AAP promised that it would employ the people of the state, but today the conditions are so bad. Violence and addiction are rampant, and none of the big businesses is investing here,” he said.
Singla also accused the BJP and its allies of having failed Punjab during their previous tenures in power, alleging that the problem of 'chitta' (synthetic drugs) emerged during their rule.
He said the Congress was organising the Insaaf Rally to highlight the issues affecting Punjab and would work towards forming a strong government in the state.
Referring to Punjab's history of political and social movements, Singla recalled the contributions of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Udham Singh, as well as the farmers' protest against the three central farm laws.
He said Rahul Gandhi would address the rally and raise issues concerning Punjab, along with national concerns such as alleged vote theft.