Newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Wednesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that the state had reached a critical juncture while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was failing to pay adequate attention to its pressing problems.
 

During his visit to Bathinda, Singh alleged that people from Delhi were looting Punjab, while the state’s youth and farming community were facing serious challenges.
 

Singh first visited the residence of late Khushbaz Singh Jatana, a former district Congress president. He met Jatana’s mother and wife and expressed his condolences, assuring them that the Congress party stood with the family during the difficult period.
 

Later, Singh met party leaders and workers at the residence of Rajan Garg, president of the District Congress Committee (Urban), Bathinda. Former minister Vijay Inder Singla and other Congress leaders were also present.
 

Pargat Singh Questions Government’s Performance
 

Addressing journalists, Singh said the spread of drug abuse, unemployment, the growing burden of debt and water-related disputes reflected the failure of successive governments to address Punjab’s major challenges.
 

He also described the Chief Minister’s Office as a hub of corruption and questioned the effectiveness of the state government’s anti-drug campaign.
 

Singh referred to several cases and incidents while criticising the government, including the action taken against Parvinder Singh Jhotta, the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, the suicide of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and the alleged assault on Mohanjit Singh.
 

Through these references, the Congress leader raised questions about the state government’s handling of law and order and other pressing public concerns.
 

Congress Leaders Attend Meeting
 

Several Congress leaders and party workers attended the meeting during Singh’s Bathinda visit.
 

Those present included Rupinder Bindra, district Congress vice-president and media in-charge; K.K. Aggarwal, PPCC delegate and former chairman of the Bathinda Improvement Trust; senior leader Bibi Amrit Gill; and Markfed director Tehal Singh Sandhu, along with other party functionaries and workers.
 

Singh’s visit centred on interactions with party workers and criticism of the state government over issues affecting Punjab’s youth, farmers and wider public.