Rahul Gandhi questions Centre’s promise to make Punjab drug-free within three years
Rahul Gandhi questions Centre’s promise to make Punjab drug-free within three years Sangrur (Punjab), Nov 4 (IANS) Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Congress’ ‘Insaaf Rally’ near here, questioning the Centre’s promise to make Punjab drug-free within three years.
Addressing a gathering attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several senior party leaders, Gandhi challenged Shah to explain the Centre’s record in tackling drug trafficking and organised criminal networks.
Taking a direct swipe at the Home Minister, Gandhi questioned the three-year deadline announced for eliminating drugs. “What deadline has he given? Three years? In three years, Amit Shah may not even be the Home Minister. I don’t know what he is talking about,” Gandhi remarked.
The Sangrur rally marked the beginning of the Congress’ political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Gandhi also questioned the Centre over previous seizures of large quantities of narcotics and heroin at Adani’s port in Gujarat.
He asked Amit Shah what concrete action had been taken following the seizures, alleging that the government had failed to demonstrate effective action against major drug trafficking networks.
The Congress leader further accused the Centre of allowing organised criminal networks to operate with protection and raised questions about the law and order situation, including developments in Manipur.
Apart from targeting the BJP-led Central government, Gandhi launched an attack on Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to control the drug menace.
He alleged that Punjab was being governed through a remote control from Delhi and said the state needed a government that prioritised the interests of its people. Gandhi also referred to his earlier interactions with Mann in the Parliament, making personal allegations about the Chief Minister’s drinking habits.
He maintained that tackling substance abuse required serious commitment from the state’s leadership. Gandhi also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in an open debate on allegations concerning foreign influence and the country’s national interests.
The rally focused on several issues, including drug abuse, gangster violence, unemployment, farmers’ concerns and the law and order situation in Punjab. With attacks directed at both the BJP-led Centre and the AAP government, the Congress leadership used the Sangrur gathering to position the party as an alternative ahead of the next Assembly elections.
