Rahul Gandhi’s Sangrur rally to shake Mann government, says Bajwa; Congress targets 2 lakh crowd

Bathinda. Congress leader and former Punjab minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on Sunday predicted a turnout of over two lakh people at Rahul Gandhi’s November 4 Insaaf Rally in Sangrur, claiming the gathering would shake the Bhagwant Mann government as public anger against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) grows.

Speaking at a press conference at Congress Bhawan in Bathinda after a meeting of party workers from Bathinda and neighbouring districts, Bajwa said the rally was generating considerable enthusiasm among Congress workers, the public and the business community.

“The November 4 rally will shake the foundations of the Mann government,” Bajwa said, projecting a gathering of more than two lakh people. The turnout figure was his estimate and could not be independently verified.

Bathinda Urban District Congress president Rajan Garg said the party was committed to mobilising every worker for the rally and securing victories for Congress candidates in the area.

“We are committed to mobilising each and every worker for the huge success of the rally. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that every Congress candidate from this area wins,” Garg said.

He alleged that people were already angry with the AAP government, its leaders and MLAs, adding that the public mood in his area reflected growing confidence in the Congress.

“The sentiment among people in my area has already shown confidence in the Congress. We will definitely have a Congress government with the support of the people,” Garg said.

Bajwa criticised both the BJP-led Union government and the AAP government in Punjab over the drug menace and the law-and-order situation. He alleged that young people continued to die from drug abuse, while those speaking out against drugs faced violence. He accused the Mann government of failing to maintain law and order and provide basic public services.

Questioning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s focus on Punjab’s drug problem, Bajwa asked why the Centre was not doing more to tackle alleged cross-border smuggling and the movement of narcotics through Gujarat’s ports. Referring to the 50-km Border Security Force jurisdiction along the international border, he questioned the effectiveness of anti-smuggling measures.

Bajwa also blamed the previous Akali-BJP government for the spread of the synthetic drug trade in Punjab and accused the BJP of undermining constitutional principles and electoral fairness. He said the Centre should address its responsibilities on drug trafficking rather than use the issue for political gains ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.

Claiming that traders were extending strong support to the Sangrur rally, Bajwa said the gathering would strengthen the Congress’s bid to return to power. He did not provide figures to substantiate the extent of support from the business community.

The Bathinda meeting was led by Garg and district Congress leader Pritam Singh Kotbhai. Former MLAs Jagdev Singh Kamalu, Gurjant Singh Kuttiwal and Rupinder Kaur Ruby attended, along with senior party leaders Sukhdev Singh Chahal, Darshan Singh Sandhu, Lakhwinder Singh Lucky and other office-bearers and workers.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to address the Insaaf Rally in Sangrur on November 4.