AAP Government Out to Crush Opposition: Pargat Singh Slams Denial of Assembly Entry to Congress MLAs and Suspension of Sukhpal Singh Khaira

Chandigarh, October 27, 2026: Punjab Congress President Pargat Singh launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government over allegations that Congress MLAs were prevented from entering the Punjab Legislative Assembly and that the Opposition’s voice was being suppressed. He said that attempts to weaken the role of the Opposition in a democracy were deeply unfortunate. Drawing a parallel with the suspension of Opposition MPs in Parliament before important legislative proceedings, he alleged that similar attempts were being made to silence the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly. 
He Congress said the suspension of Sukhpal Singh Khaira and the alleged denial of entry to Congress MLAs, particularly women legislators, raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to democratic principles. He said that the people of Punjab would teach the Aam Aadmi Party government a lesson in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Pargat Singh said Opposition MLAs are elected to raise public concerns and hold the government accountable. Preventing them from speaking inside the House and forcing them to struggle to make their voices heard outside was a matter of serious concern for democracy, he said. He alleged that instead of allowing the Opposition to present its views, the government was attempting to silence it both inside and outside the Assembly. The Opposition wanted to raise key issues concerning Punjab’s water rights, the Dam Safety Act, the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), sacrilege cases and the land pooling policy, he said.
Questioning the government’s handling of Punjab’s water rights, Pargat Singh said a clear legal and constitutional position was needed on the Yamuna waters and the state’s water entitlements. He said the government had brought five resolutions, but passing resolutions alone could not safeguard Punjab’s interests. Concrete legal measures and strong representation of the state’s case before the courts were essential. Congress alleged that the government had previously brought resolutions on the issue but had yet to demonstrate effective legal action or tangible results. Resolutions had also been introduced earlier on the issue of supplying water to Rajasthan. Instead of political posturing, the government must clarify its policy and legal strategy to protect Punjab’s interests, Congress said. The state’s water resources are linked to its future, farmers’ livelihoods and the rights of generations to come.
Pargat Singh alleged that the AAP government was indulging in rhetoric on sensitive issues concerning Punjab when effective legal representation was required. Congress had challenged the decision to extend the BSF’s jurisdiction up to 50 kilometres, he said, questioning why the state government had not effectively defended Punjab’s interests in this important matter. Congress also demanded answers from the government on the Dam Safety Act. If the government was serious about protecting Punjab’s rights, it needed to present a strong legal case before the courts and fulfil its responsibilities. Passing resolutions in the Assembly without effective follow-up would not resolve these issues, he said.
Referring to sacrilege cases, the Punjab Congress president said ensuring justice in these matters was deeply connected to the sentiments of the people of Punjab. The government must explain why effective legal representation had not been ensured in the relevant proceedings and why tangible outcomes remained elusive in cases where people had placed their trust in the government for justice. Congress said the government must discharge its responsibilities instead of politicising sensitive matters involving religious sentiments and justice.
Strongly opposing the Punjab government’s land pooling policy, Pargat Singh alleged that the government was seeking to put pressure on farmers over their land and use it in the interests of favoured corporate houses. He said farmers’ land was not merely property; it represented their livelihoods, identity and generations of hard work. No policy should be imposed on farmers while disregarding their consent and interests. Despite opposition from farmers and the public, the government was attempting to revive such a policy, he alleged. Congress made it clear that it would continue opposing the policy to protect farmers’ interests and would not allow Punjab’s land to be handed over to corporate interests.