The Congress on Monday accused both the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led Centre of colluding to obstruct Rahul Gandhi’s visit to flood-hit villages in the state. The party alleged that Gandhi, who had planned to tour the affected areas in Gurdaspur, was advised to cancel his visit under the pretext of security concerns.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized Gandhi’s “delayed visit,” suggesting he should have waited for more water to recede before meeting people. Congress leaders rejected the claim, arguing that his presence was timely as the real hardships of villagers were now surfacing. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally called party president Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting that Gandhi avoid crossing the swollen Ravi river. Warring added that unlike PM Modi, who engaged in “photo-ops,” Gandhi connected with villagers directly.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused the AAP government of “deliberately obstructing” Gandhi’s programme, calling it “politically motivated and insensitive.” He questioned how the government could claim to ensure public safety if it could not protect a senior leader. Former Punjab CM Charanjit Channi also hit out at Mann, alleging that internal rifts within AAP kept him away from relief efforts. Channi defended Gandhi’s visit as an act of solidarity, while questioning whether the ₹1,600 crore central aid would be sufficient to rebuild flood-hit Punjab.
