Smelt alcohol on him: Rahul Gandhi's barb at Bhagwant Mann triggers AAP backlash

Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, questioning his ability to tackle the state's drug problem while accusing him of consuming alcohol regularly.

Addressing the Congress's Insaaf Rally in Sangrur on November 4, Gandhi recalled his interactions with Mann during their time in Parliament and claimed that he had noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the Punjab chief minister during a parliamentary sitting at around 11 am.

"This CM Bhagwant Mann used to crack jokes in Lok Sabha while sitting with is and liquor smell came from him at 11:00 am," he said."I am not saying he should not drink, as it is his personal matter. But if you have to fight against nasha, then your CM cannot do nasha every evening," Gandhi further added.

The Congress leader's remarks came as he began campaigning in Punjab ahead of next year's Assembly elections, in which the Congress will take on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its INDIA bloc ally at the national level. AAP , - , ? , ,— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 4, 2026

Gandhi questioned the AAP government's promise to eliminate drugs from Punjab and asked what steps it had taken to fulfil the commitment.

"When AAP came to Punjab, they promised of eradicating drugs. I want to ask you, from where they have eradicated drugs? They cannot do it," he said.

He argued that the drug problem and gangsterism could not be tackled without developing industries and infrastructure in the state.

Gandhi said Punjab needed a government that understood the concerns of its people and worked towards creating employment opportunities.

Taking a swipe at Mann, he said the state needed a chief minister who could understand the pain of people affected by drug abuse.RAHUL GANDHI RECALLS SIDHU MOOSEWALA'S KILLING

Gandhi also referred to the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, recalling his meeting with the singer before his death in May 2022.

He said Moosewala was a talented young man who wanted to join the Congress. Gandhi added that he later listened to some of the singer's songs, including 295.

Recalling the circumstances surrounding his death, Gandhi said Moosewala's security was withdrawn before he was shot dead in broad daylight.

"What happened to the son of Balkaur Singh has become a fashion in Punjab now. Anyone who has talent is shot down now," he said, referring to Moosewala's father.GANDHI TARGETS AMIT SHAH, CLAIMS PUNJAB GOVT IS RUN FROM DELHI

The Congress leader also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his promise to eliminate the drug menace within three years.

Questioning the Centre's efforts, Gandhi asked what action had been taken over drugs seized at Adani ports. He also accused the government of failing to tackle gangsterism, claiming that gangsters were receiving support while operating from prisons.

Gandhi further accused the AAP government of being controlled by its leadership in Delhi, including Arvind Kejriwal, rather than being independently run by Mann.

He said a Congress government, if elected, would function independently and would not be controlled by leaders sitting in the national capital.RAHUL GANDHI CHALLENGES PM MODI TO DEBATE

Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of working in the interests of billionaires, including industrialist Gautam Adani, rather than farmers and small businesses.

He challenged Modi to a public debate and accused him of being influenced by US President Donald Trump.

Referring to Trump's repeated claims that he had helped stop the India-Pakistan conflict, Gandhi questioned why the prime minister had not publicly challenged the US president's statements.

He also referred to the US case involving Adani, linking its closure to what he described as a deal with Washington.

Gandhi urged voters in Punjab to give the Congress another opportunity to govern the state, promising a government focused on farmers, small and medium-sized industries, and employment generation.AAP CALLS RAHUL GANDHI'S RALLY 'DIRECTIONLESS'

The Aam Aadmi Party hit back at Gandhi over his remarks, describing the 'Insaaf Rally' as "directionless" and accusing the Congress leader of failing to present a vision or roadmap for Punjab.

The party said Gandhi had nothing meaningful to offer on the state's pressing issues or development beyond criticising Mann and the elected Punjab government.

The AAP also targeted the Congress over its electoral performance, calling it a "fragmented political organisation" with diminishing relevance across the country.

"Congress has been reduced to a fragmented political organisation with diminishing electoral relevance across the country," the party said, adding that repeated electoral setbacks and candidates losing their deposits in several constituencies reflected its declining political standing.

The AAP further claimed that the Congress had witnessed a political decline in Punjab and was unable to present a credible alternative or a constructive agenda before voters.

The exchange comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with both parties preparing to challenge each other for control of the state despite being partners in the INDIA bloc at the national level.- Ends

Aseem Bassi, currently working as Deputy Editor with the India Today Group, has a 20 years experience in active journalism.

Hailing from Amritsar, Aseem Bassi kicked off his journalistic career with Hindustan Times in year 2004 and stayed there for 13 years. He worked for ANI for a year and worked for ABP NEWS for almost 6 yeats. He was Punjab Bureau chief with ABP News before joing India Today.  

Aseem Bassi during his journalistic journey has covered all Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections along with all the important happenings along the Indo-Pak border. He has also covered terror attacks that took place in Dinanagar and Pathankot.

He has recieved various in-house awards from Hindustan Times and ABP NEWS.

Completing his Masters in Mass Communication in 2003, Aseem Bassi has interest in sports and border coverages.