Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot slammed the AAP government on Saturday, alleging that the state's law-and-order situation has "collapsed" and that people have "lost trust" in the Bhagwant Mann dispensation.
Pilot is on a five-day visit to Punjab to meet families of gang violence victims, seeking justice for them. On the second day of his visit, Pilot met the family of a jeweller -- Parminder Singh -- who was killed in June 2023 in Moga. The Congress leader told reporters that law and order is a state subject.
Pilot alleges rise in extortion and gang violence
"In Barnala, Batala, and Moga, gunfire is heard daily, extortion is widespread, and many people hesitate to inform police due to fear. The situation that has emerged today is concerning for the next generation," Pilot said.
He said those who came to power four-and-a-half years ago only "protected, promoted and patronised" their leaders from Delhi and spent taxpayers' money on "cleaning up" their images.
"People are fed up with drugs. Money from drugs and extortion is used to get arms. People have lost trust in the AAP government," he claimed.
The Mann government focuses only on publishing photos in newspaper advertisements and getting votes, while people have been left to their own fate, Pilot said. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh accompanied him.
Congress leader questions Centre over drug smuggling
Pilot also criticised the BJP government at the Centre over drug smuggling from across the border.
He said, "What has the government of India done in the last 12 years to check supplies of drugs and weapons from across the border? What is the home ministry doing?"
The Congress leader said neither the AAP nor the BJP government did anything to crush the drug and arms supply nexus and network. Replying to a question, Pilot said if the people of Punjab place their trust in us and vote for us, we will create a governance model specifically for law and order and the 'chitta' (synthetic drugs) issues.
"I do not want to give false assurances, but the truth is that ever since Mann became the chief minister, the situation has worsened. Police personnel are being shot at, and police posts are being attacked. This is a complete collapse of law and order," Pilot alleged.
He said Rahul Gandhi will soon visit Punjab.
Pilot accuses Mann of evading accountability
Pilot said the Punjab chief minister also holds the home portfolio.
"When Gulzar Singh (in Sangrur) died by suicide after consuming poison, and we went to console his family and demand justice, the chief minister said opposition leaders play politics over bodies. In a democracy, establishing accountability for the government, demanding justice, and protesting are constitutional rights," he said.
"I feel the chief minister is completely rattled now because no matter how much he promotes himself, the reality on the ground is that people are miserable today," he said.
Pilot meets family of murdered kabaddi player
Later, Pilot and Singh also visited Giddarwindi and Jagraon in Ludhiana and met the family of kabaddi player Tejpal Singh, who was murdered on October 31, 2025.
They expressed their condolences and assured the bereaved family that the Congress party stands firmly with them in their fight for justice and will make every possible effort to ensure that justice is delivered. They said losing a loved one under such tragic circumstances is devastating for any family. They said the government and the administration are responsible for ensuring justice for the victims.
Pilot said the incidents of murder have created an atmosphere of fear among the people. Cases ranging from Tejpal Singh to Parvinder Singh Jhotta raise serious questions about the Punjab government's accountability.