Sangrur: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing its government in Punjab of rampant corruption and alleging that money collected through extortion in the state was being sent to Delhi.
“ In my 60-year career, I have never seen such a corrupt government,” Kharge said, alleging that AAP leaders had deployed their associates in Punjab to collect money and channel it to the party leadership in Delhi.
Calling AAP the BJP’s “B team”, Kharge accused the party of deliberately contesting elections in states where Congress was gaining ground to divide opposition votes. He cited Gujarat and Goa, alleging that AAP’s presence had affected Congress’s electoral prospects in both states.
He accused the party of lacking an independent political base and alleged that its activities were aimed at weakening democracy. He urged people to teach AAP a lesson.
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to the country, Kharge described the state as a land of courage, sacrifice and service. He recalled the role of Punjabis in the freedom struggle and in safeguarding the country’s borders.
He also invoked the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and other Sikh Gurus, saying their message of unity, equality and opposition to social evils had influenced generations. He referred to Dr B R Ambedkar’s commitment to equality in this context.
Kharge said Punjab had long been regarded as a source of national pride but alleged that the policies of the Narendra Modi-led Union government and the Bhagwant Mann government had damaged the state.
Referring to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, Kharge said farmers and soldiers had been two key pillars of Punjab. He accused the governments at the Centre and in the state of failing to protect their interests.
