The Congress party on Saturday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party are two sides of the same coin, employing arm-twisting tactics and intimidation against their political opponents. Reacting to the arrest of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora by the Enforcement Directorate, All India Congress Committee general secretary and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel stated that the BJP uses central agencies like the ED at the national level, while the AAP deploys the vigilance department against its rivals in the state.
Congress Leaders Criticize Both Parties
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring remarked that the BJP and the AAP are playing games to deceive the people of Punjab. He expressed surprise that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann levelled allegations against the BJP without taking any concrete action. Regarding Arora's arrest, Warring pointed out that the ED had previously raided another Rajya Sabha MP, Ashok Mittal, who subsequently joined the BJP. He added that the AAP is now encountering its match in the BJP, as the AAP government misused the vigilance department and police against its political opponents, and the BJP is doing the same to the AAP.
Warring emphasized that the people of Punjab will not be misled by these tactics and will only trust parties that have governed the state well in the past. He declared that the Congress party will not be intimidated by either the BJP's ED or the AAP's vigilance bureau, and every Congress worker is prepared for the decisive battle in the 2027 assembly elections.
Congress Announces Yatras Across Punjab
The party held a daylong brainstorming session on Saturday, presided over by Baghel and attended by senior leaders from across the state. Briefing the media afterward, Baghel announced that the Congress would conduct yatras in all 117 assembly segments to connect with the people. Each yatra will span three days in every constituency, aiming to reach the maximum number of citizens, understand their issues, problems, and expectations, and discuss the party's vision. Baghel mentioned that there were suggestions for the leader of the opposition to attend the concluding programme of these yatras.
Baghel also revealed that the party would release a chargesheet against the AAP government in Punjab. During the meeting, the party discussed the sorry state of affairs in the state, particularly widespread corruption and the deteriorating law and order situation. When asked about the recent blasts in Punjab, Baghel held both the state and central governments responsible, stating that the onus lies on them.
