AAP Govt out to crush Opposition: Pargat Singh slams denial of Assembly entry to Congress MLAs, suspension of Sukhpal Khaira
Congress alleges denial of entry to its MLAs and suspension of Sukhpal Singh Khaira are attempts to suppress debate on Punjab’s water rights, sacrilege cases and land pooling policy
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 27, 2026: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Sardar Pargat Singh on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of attempting to silence the Opposition, alleging that Congress MLAs were denied entry to the Punjab Legislative Assembly and party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was suspended.
Pargat Singh said preventing elected representatives from entering the Assembly or raising public issues was an insult to democratic principles. He drew parallels with the suspension of Opposition MPs in Parliament and alleged that similar tactics were being used in Punjab to restrict dissent.
He also alleged that women Congress legislators were among those denied entry and said the people of Punjab would respond to the AAP government in the 2027 Assembly elections.
The Congress leader said Opposition MLAs had a responsibility to raise public concerns and hold the government accountable. He alleged that the government was attempting to prevent the Opposition from questioning its decisions both inside and outside the House.
Among the key issues the Congress wanted to raise were Punjab’s water rights, the Dam Safety Act, the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), sacrilege cases and the state government’s land pooling policy.
Congress questions government’s stand on Punjab’s water rights
Pargat Singh demanded clarity on the government’s legal and constitutional position concerning the Yamuna waters and Punjab’s water entitlements.
He said passing resolutions in the Assembly was insufficient to protect the state’s interests without concrete legal action and effective representation before the courts.
The Congress alleged that previous resolutions on water-related issues, including the supply of water to Rajasthan, had not been accompanied by adequate results. It urged the government to explain its legal strategy for safeguarding Punjab’s water resources, which it said were crucial to farmers’ livelihoods and the state’s future.
On the BSF’s jurisdiction, Pargat Singh said the Congress had challenged the decision to extend the force’s jurisdiction up to 50 kilometres from the international border. He questioned the state government’s efforts to defend Punjab’s interests in the matter.
He also sought answers on the Dam Safety Act, arguing that legislative resolutions would have little impact without effective legal follow-up.
Sacrilege cases remain a key concern
Referring to sacrilege cases, the Punjab Congress president said the government must explain the progress made towards securing justice in matters involving the religious sentiments of Punjab’s people.
He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s legal representation in the relevant proceedings and demanded tangible outcomes, alleging that sensitive issues were being politicised instead of being addressed effectively.
Congress opposes land pooling policy
Pargat Singh also criticised the state government’s land pooling policy, alleging that it could put pressure on farmers to surrender their land for the benefit of favoured corporate houses.
He said agricultural land represented farmers’ livelihoods, identity and generations of hard work, and argued that no policy should be imposed without adequately considering their consent and interests.
The Congress leader alleged that the government was attempting to revive the policy despite opposition from farmers and sections of the public. He said his party would continue opposing any move that it believed threatened farmers’ interests.
The allegations against the AAP government were made in a press statement issued by the office of MLA Sardar Pargat Singh, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.