Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of being plagued by internal chaos and leadership confusion, while firmly denying allegations of cross-voting in the recent Vice-Presidential poll.
Addressing the media on Sunday, Mann said the Congress is “busy fighting among themselves” instead of focusing on issues that matter to the people of Punjab. He claimed that the party’s ongoing factional battles have weakened its ability to function as an effective opposition, both in the state and at the national level.
Responding to speculation about cross-voting in the Vice-Presidential election, Mann dismissed the claims as “baseless and politically motivated.” He clarified that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators voted strictly according to party directions, emphasizing that the integrity of the voting process was maintained. “There was no cross-voting from our side. These rumours are being spread to divert attention from Congress’s internal rifts,” Mann asserted.
Political analysts view Mann’s remarks as a strategic move to further isolate Congress in Punjab’s political landscape, where AAP has emerged as the dominant force since its sweeping victory in the 2022 Assembly elections. The escalating war of words comes at a time when Congress leaders are grappling with leadership disputes and a shrinking voter base in the state.
As the political temperature rises, observers say the rivalry between AAP and Congress is likely to intensify ahead of future electoral battles in Punjab, with both parties vying for influence among rural and urban voters alike.
