Rahul Gandhi’s Alcohol Remark On Bhagwant Mann Triggers Fresh AAP-Congress Clash Ahead Of Punjab Polls

A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress after Rahul Gandhi accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of smelling of alcohol in Parliament. The AAP has criticised the Congress leader's remarks, calling them personal and inappropriate.

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj responded to Gandhi's claim that Mann smelt like alcohol in Parliament by saying that charges were pointless and accusing the Congress and the BJP of working together to target Punjab.

The Congress leader's remarks have been questioned by AAP, which decried them as personal and inappropriate.

The tussle came before the next assembly elections in Punjab in 2027 where both parties have been critical of each other regarding governance, the drug menace and other issues of state.

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday came back at Gandhi and termed his comments as an attack "below-the-belt". Rather than making personal accusations that would affect the leadership, leaders should tackle public problems, he said.

He remarked, "Allegations of drug use have also been made against Rahul Gandhi. But making accusations doesn't achieve anything. I feel that at Rahul Gandhi's level, he really shouldn't be making such cheap comments," Bharadwaj said, news agency PTI reported.

Gandhi spoke at the Congress' Insaaf Rally at Phaguwala village in the Sangrur district of Punjab.

In the attack on the AAP government, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha pointed out the performance of the government in the area of drug abuse in the state.

"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 said.

Gandhi explained to the BBC that Mann was in Parliament, smelling of alcohol, around 11am, and wondered how he could lead a campaign against drugs if he was drunk.

He further added that consuming alcohol was an individual business but a leader who was supposed to eradicate the drug menace, should set a good example and so said Gandhi.

He also slammed the AAP government for not taking any steps towards eradication of drugs from the streets of Punjab.

Congress and BJP have been heavily criticized for targeting Punjab by the American Association of the Publicity of Psychiatrists (AAP).

Wishing to respond to Gandhi, Bharadwaj asked Congress chief why he did not ask the same questions to the chief ministers of BJP ruled states like Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand's Pushkar Singh Dhami.

He said Congress and BJP have put Punjab in the political cross-hairs, rather than holding other states up for ransom.

Bharadwaj further alleged that the Central agencies, which include the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation, are constantly getting caught up and used by the Central government for its agenda against the Punjab ministers and lawmakers.

He revealed that the two were shooting at the Opposition government (AAP) in the state.

Congress demands to crack down on AAP governance

Gandhi also pointed out that the Mann government had done nothing so far to address the problems of farmer, gang attacks and drug racket during the rally.

He claimed the government of Punjab was being controlled from Delhi instead of it being controlled by a government of Punjab.

Gandhi had announced that he would bring about a Government of the people and for the people in Punjab.

The Congress has just been pointing out to AAP that it has been repeatedly asking the party to keep its electoral commitment of drug abuse and law and order.

Rift further widens with AAP's distance from ‘INDIA Bloc'

The change in ministries is in the wake of growing acrimony between the AAP and the Congress in the Opposition party's INDIA bloc.

In July 2025, the AAP officially severed ties with the alliance and has demanded that the alliance has little future now under the Congress leadership.

The Congress' failure to ensure the unity of Opposition parties after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls has been pointed out by the AAP leaders.

Sanjay Singh, AAP MP, had said that the AAP would no longer be a part of the INDIA bloc, but would raise issues of the public in Parliament and it would oppose the government if necessary.

As the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections approach, the escalating tension between the two is likely to further fuel the conflict.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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