Congress sounds poll bugle in Punjab; Rahul, Kharge launch attack on AAP at Sangrur rally
Kharge Calls AAP ‘B Team of BJP’; Congress Leaders Address Sangrur’s Nyay Rally as Party Projects United Front Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls
Ravi Jakhu
Sangrur (Punjab), November 4, 2026: The Congress on Wednesday sounded its poll bugle in Punjab with a show of unity at a massive public rally in Sangrur, where Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of failing to curb drugs, corruption and the deteriorating condition of the state’s economy.
Addressing the Nyay rally, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Bhagwant Mann-led government was being controlled from Delhi, with its reins in the hands of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“One rein is in Shah’s hands and another in Kejriwal’s,” he said, asserting that Punjab needed a government run from the state rather than from Delhi.
Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the drug problem, Gandhi said the AAP government had failed to tackle the menace despite making it a major political promise. Referring to Mann’s alleged drinking habits, he remarked, “You cannot fight drugs in a state whose Chief Minister gets drunk every evening.”
Gandhi said that while drinking was a personal choice, Punjab needed a leader who could understand the suffering of its people and fight against the drug menace.
He recalled seeing Mann in Parliament when he was an MP and alleged that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol even during morning proceedings. His remarks drew applause from the gathering.
Kharge Accuses AAP of Corruption, Calls It BJP’s ‘B Team’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the AAP government of corruption, anti-farmer policies and failure to protect the future of Punjab’s youth.
Referring to his over six decades in public life, Kharge said he had never seen a government as corrupt as the AAP government in Punjab.
He alleged that the state government had failed to address the drug problem and had adversely affected farmers, young people and other sections of society.
“Earlier you destroyed Delhi and now you have destroyed Punjab,” Kharge said, questioning the AAP government’s claims of good governance.
Calling AAP the “B Team of BJP”, the Congress president alleged that the party entered electoral contests in states such as Gujarat and Goa where Congress was in a position to challenge the BJP, thereby dividing anti-BJP votes.
He questioned the rationale behind AAP contesting elections in states where, according to him, the party had little organisational presence, alleging that its participation benefited the BJP.
Gandhi Challenges Modi to Debate, Raises Adani and Trade Deal Issues
Gandhi also reiterated his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to debate the charge that the Congress was anti-national.
He said he was ready to debate the issue at a venue of the Prime Minister’s choice, with anyone selected by Modi acting as a judge. Gandhi claimed he could establish his argument within five minutes.
He alleged that the government did not allow him to speak freely in Parliament and that his microphone was switched off during proceedings.
Questioning the India-US trade deal, Gandhi alleged that Modi had signed it under pressure from US President Donald Trump without adequately consulting his Cabinet or senior officials.
He claimed the agreement would adversely affect Indian farmers, agriculture, data and small and medium industries. He also raised questions about the Adani group and the US legal proceedings involving it.
Gandhi further questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment to eliminate drugs by December 2029, alleging that the BJP leadership had failed to address issues relating to drug seizures and law and order.
He also accused Shah of protecting gangsters, a charge he levelled during his address.
Moosewala’s Killing Also Figures in Gandhi’s Address
Referring to the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, Gandhi recalled meeting him before he joined the Congress.
Describing Moosewala as a talented and promising young person who could have contributed significantly to Punjab, Gandhi said the singer carried the voice of the state.
He expressed concern over the withdrawal of Moosewala’s security before his killing in broad daylight in May 2022. Gandhi alleged that the mindset responsible for the singer’s murder continued to prevail in different parts of Punjab.
Gandhi also spoke about the decline of agriculture and small and medium-scale industries in the state, saying these sectors had traditionally been central to Punjab’s economy.
He argued that reviving agriculture and industry was essential to addressing the challenges of drugs and gangsterism.
The rally was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including Sachin Pilot, Pargat Singh, Partap Singh Bajwa, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Vijay Inder Singla and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, among others.
The gathering brought together the party’s national and state leadership on a common platform as the Congress stepped up its political campaign in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.