The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a rally in Sangrur. AAP's Delhi unit president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, described Gandhi's comments as "shameful and cheap politics" and accused the Congress and BJP of working together to target Punjab and the AAP government.
 

Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government over the drug problem in Punjab during the 'Insaaf Rally' held in Sangrur. He also made controversial remarks about the Chief Minister, prompting a sharp response from the AAP leadership.
 

Reacting to the comments, Bharadwaj said that a leader of Rahul Gandhi's stature should avoid making such remarks. He added that allegations had also been levelled against Gandhi in the past, but making accusations against political opponents did not achieve anything.
 

The AAP leader questioned why the Congress and BJP were focusing so heavily on Punjab instead of concentrating on electoral contests in other states. He alleged that both parties were targeting Punjab throughout the day because the state was governed by an opposition party.
 

Bharadwaj further alleged that central investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), were also being used against Punjab because it had a non-BJP government.
 

Responding to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's description of the Mann government as the most corrupt government in 60 years, Bharadwaj questioned why the Congress did not raise similar concerns about corruption in states governed by the Shiromani Akali Dal or the BJP.
 

He also accused the Congress of focusing on weakening other opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, instead of concentrating its efforts on fighting the BJP.
 

Commenting on the Central Government's decision to extend the retirement period of Agniveers by two years, Bharadwaj alleged that the government lacked sufficient funds to provide for soldiers. He also claimed that young people were losing interest in joining the Agniveer recruitment scheme, which had prompted the government to extend their service period.