‘Mann smelled of alcohol in Parliament by 11 am’: Rahul Gandhi attacks AAP over Punjab’s drug crisis

Addressing an ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, Gandhi accused the AAP government of breaking its promise to eliminate the drug menace and alleged that Punjab’s administration was being controlled from Delhi by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha also urged voters to bring the Congress back to power, promising a government that would function from Punjab rather than being directed by leaders outside the state.

The rally marked the launch of the Congress campaign ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, scheduled for early next year.

Gandhi said narcotics had emerged as the biggest concern facing Punjab, with the problem extending beyond ‘chitta’, or adulterated heroin, to synthetic drugs and the misuse of pharmaceutical substances.

Recalling his earlier warnings about drug abuse in the state, he said the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal had dismissed his concerns at the time, claiming he did not understand Punjab.

"Many years back, I had said that drugs are spreading in Punjab. The BJP and the Akali Dal at that time said Rahul Gandhi does not know anything about Punjab, downplaying the drug menace. Today, 'chitta' is a major issue in the state," he said.

Gandhi said he had asked people to identify Punjab’s biggest problem and received a unanimous response.

"The reply was unanimous - narcotics, including 'chitta', synthetic drugs and medical drugs," he said.

He then questioned the AAP government over its failure to fulfil its electoral promise of ending drug abuse.

"The AAP formed the government after people placed their trust in the party and Bhagwant Mann. What promise did it make? That it will end the drug menace in Punjab. I want to ask the AAP, from which corner of the state has it wiped out drugs?" Gandhi asked.

In one of the sharpest moments of his speech, Gandhi made a personal allegation about Mann, recalling their interactions in Parliament.

"In Lok Sabha, he (Mann) used to crack jokes sitting with us. At 11 am, he used to smell of alcohol. I am not saying Bhagwant Mann should not consume alcohol; it is his personal matter. But if you want to fight drugs, the chief minister can't get intoxicated every evening," Gandhi said.

He argued that Punjab needed a leader who understood the suffering caused by drug addiction and was committed to confronting the problem.

"Punjab needs a man who can fight for its cause, someone who feels the pain of drug addiction in his heart," he added.

Gandhi also alleged that the AAP government was not functioning independently and accused its leadership of taking directions from outside Punjab.

Gandhi said the people of Punjab deserved a government that worked for the state rather than one controlled by political leaders in Delhi.

"We will run the government from the soil of Punjab, with neither the home minister nor a former chief minister of Delhi interfering," he said.

He alleged that the state's administration was effectively in the hands of Shah and Kejriwal, while Mann had little authority.

"Today, the reins (of the government) are held by Amit Shah and Arvind Kejriwal, while Bhagwant Mann just sits there. Punjab is being run from Delhi," Gandhi alleged.

He urged voters to support the Congress, promising employment opportunities and a Punjab free from drugs.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Punjab party in-charge Sachin Pilot, state Congress chief Pargat Singh and several senior leaders attended the rally.

Those present included Partap Bajwa, Vijay Inder Singla, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Rahul Gandhi recalls meeting with Sidhu Moosewala

Gandhi also referred to his earlier meeting with slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose father, Balkaur Singh, met him shortly before the rally address.

Explaining why he had changed his prepared speech, Gandhi said, "I had a plan for my speech; but a few minutes back, Sidhu Moosewala's father came and met me, so I am changing the plan."

He recalled meeting Moosewala several years ago, when the singer visited his office.

Gandhi said he was not familiar with his music at the time but was impressed by the young musician.

"A few years ago, I had met Sidhu Moosewala when he had come to see me in my office. I did not know him at the time. He came across as an impressive young man. He had a tattoo. I had not listened to his songs then. I was told that he was a good person, a musician, and wanted to join the Congress. He was a dynamic, talented young man and we made him join the party," Gandhi said.

He added that he wanted Moosewala to feel comfortable as a newcomer to politics and believed the singer had the potential to make a mark beyond music.

"I felt that he ought to be made to feel comfortable as he was a newcomer to politics. He was probably Punjab's most talented singer, who could also one day make a mark in politics," Gandhi said.

Moosewala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29, 2022.

Recalling the singer's contribution to Punjabi music, Gandhi said, "Punjab's voice used to come out in his songs, which I listened to later."

He also referred to the withdrawal of Moosewala's security before his killing, saying, "His security was removed. And one day he was killed in broad daylight."

Gandhi said that during a subsequent visit to the singer's home, Moosewala's father had spoken about the pain of losing a child.

Gandhi renews challenge to Modi

The Congress leader also repeated his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate over the latter's allegation that the Congress was anti-national.

"Come anywhere, sit with me and debate," Gandhi said.

Taking aim at the BJP over parliamentary proceedings, he alleged that Opposition leaders were denied an opportunity to speak freely in the House.

"They say have a discussion in Parliament, but you switch off my mic; you don't let me speak in Parliament," he said.

His remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government was willing to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and challenged the Opposition to participate in the debate.