Sangrur, Punjab: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the drug problem in Punjab and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of allowing the state to be governed from Delhi.

Addressing the Insaaf Rally in Sangrur, Gandhi questioned the timeline cited by Shah for tackling drug-related problems and expressed doubts about the political stability of the current government at the Centre. He also argued that Punjab needed a government that made decisions within the state rather than under the influence of leaders based in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi Questions Amit Shah's Drug Eradication Timeline

During his address, Gandhi questioned the timeline attributed to Amit Shah for addressing Punjab's drug problem. He referred to a three-year target and argued that Shah might no longer hold the Union Home Minister's position by then.

Gandhi also predicted that the current government at the Centre might not last another year. These remarks were his political assessment and were not accompanied by evidence establishing that the government would fall within that period.

The Congress leader made the drug issue a central part of his criticism, challenging the BJP's approach and raising questions about the effectiveness of its proposed timeline.

Gandhi Accuses AAP of Running Punjab From Delhi

Gandhi said Punjab needed a government that worked in the interests of its people and made decisions from within the state.

He asserted that a Congress government in Punjab would be governed from Punjab rather than Delhi. According to him, the state's Chief Minister should exercise genuine authority over the administration.

Gandhi alleged that the current arrangement placed significant influence in the hands of Amit Shah and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had limited control. He used the criticism to argue that Punjab's political and administrative decisions were being directed from outside the state.

Congress Pitches State-Level Leadership

The Congress leader's remarks underscored his party's argument that Punjab's government should remain accountable to the state's residents and address local priorities.

By contrasting the Congress's proposed approach with his criticism of AAP, Gandhi sought to position his party as an alternative on governance and political accountability.

His comments also connected the debate over the drug problem with broader questions about who exercises authority over Punjab's administration.

Drug Problem and Punjab Politics Remain Key Issues

The Sangrur rally placed drug-related concerns, state autonomy and political accountability at the centre of the Congress's message in Punjab.

Gandhi's remarks represent the Congress's criticism of the BJP and AAP. Responses from Amit Shah, Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to these specific comments were not included in the statement provided.