Chandigarh, Jan 29: A political storm has broken out in Punjab as the Aam Aadmi Party demands answers from the Congress party regarding allegations that it considered using violence to win elections. Baltej Pannu, the media in-charge for AAP, said on Thursday that the Congress leadership must explain the “shocking” revelations made by former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
Bhattal reportedly stated in a viral interview that advisors had suggested allowing bomb blasts in public places to help the Congress government retain power. Pannu said the fact that senior leaders like Partap Singh Bajwa and Raja Warring have not condemned these remarks is deeply disturbing.
“At the very least, Congress must tell Punjabis whether Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is lying or telling the truth,” Pannu said.
The AAP leader mentioned that traditional political parties in the state, including the Akali Dal and Congress, have a history of compromising Punjab’s interests for their own convenience. He said that from issues like the SYL canal to the management of the BBMB, these parties have prioritized politics over the rights of the state’s citizens. He noted that the truth about these “traditional parties” is finally being exposed by their own members.
Connecting the allegations to historical context, Pannu recalled similar claims made by Captain Amarinder Singh about the extrajudicial killing of youth. He questioned why such serious matters were never properly investigated by previous administrations.
“To even suggest using terror as a political tool is unforgivable,” Pannu said, adding that the state is still recovering from the emotional and economic impact of its violent past.
Pannu said that under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann, the state government has taken a stand that is uncompromising when it comes to peace and security. He noted that the real face of those who previously ruled Punjab is being revealed, comparing the situation to the fable of the blue jackal whose true identity is eventually discovered.
He mentioned that the state’s peace and future are non-negotiable. Pannu said that Punjabis must remain vigilant and remember these revelations to ensure that such forces do not return to power.
