Congress Will Fight Against Drugs, Gangsters and Government Failures: Sukhjinder Randhawa

Baba Bakala, August 28, 2026: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, while addressing a Congress programme at Baba Bakala, said that Punjab does not need leaders who compromise with political parties for their own interests. He said the fight is not about any individual, but about protecting Punjab’s future from drugs, gangsters and a system that has failed the people.
Randhawa said that those holding high constitutional offices must learn to respect women and mothers in public life. “Punjab needs leadership with character, courage and accountability—not leaders who make promises to the people and then forget them after coming to power,” he said.
Randhawa alleged that drugs are being sold openly in villages, streets and localities across Punjab, while the government continues to publicise its campaign against drugs.
He said the government cannot claim success merely through slogans and publicity when families across Punjab continue to suffer because of drug addiction.
“Saving Punjab’s youth from drugs must be the government’s biggest priority. You cannot defeat the drug menace through advertisements and slogans; you need political will, accountability and action on the ground,” he said.
Issuing a strong warning to the police administration, Randhawa said police officials and personnel should improve their functioning and ensure that ordinary citizens and political workers are treated fairly.
He said that if injustice is committed against Congress workers or common people, the Congress will not remain a silent spectator.
“Are you ready to gherao the police stations?” Randhawa asked Congress workers, adding that wherever injustice is committed against Congress workers, the party’s next political battle will be fought outside that police station.
Randhawa also questioned the government over allegations of links between sections of the police administration and gangsters and demanded that the Chief Minister explain what concrete action has been taken against organised crime and gangsters in Punjab.
Speaking about the Congress organisation, Randhawa said that the party is completely united and that the workers present at the Baba Bakala gathering have remained committed to the Congress ideology for years.
He said the strength of the Congress comes from its grassroots workers and that the party will continue to raise the issues of Punjab fearlessly, both on the streets and inside the Assembly and Parliament.
Challenging Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Randhawa said that he should come to the soil of Punjab and clearly declare that the water of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal belongs to Punjab.
He also demanded that Saini make it clear that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab.
“If the BJP leadership is genuinely concerned about Punjab and Haryana, let them come to Punjab and speak openly on the rights of Punjab. Punjab will not compromise on its water, its capital or its legitimate constitutional rights,” Randhawa said.
Randhawa also raised the issue of Sikh prisoners whose sentences have been completed. He said that in 2019, the Prime Minister had made a commitment regarding the release of certain Sikh prisoners, but even in 2026, the issue remains unresolved.
He demanded that all prisoners who have completed their legally prescribed sentences should be released immediately, in accordance with law.
He also demanded strict action in cases involving the alleged availability of mobile phones to gangsters lodged in Gujarat jails and called for accountability wherever security lapses are established.
Referring to Raksha Bandhan, Randhawa said that the festival should not be reduced to a symbolic gesture involving one individual.
“Raksha Bandhan is a commitment to protect the safety, dignity and honour of every sister and daughter of Punjab. Their security must be a political and social priority,” he said.
Concluding his address, Randhawa expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in Punjab in the 2027 Assembly elections, claiming that the party would win more than 80 seats and form the government.
He said the Baba Bakala gathering would prove to be a historic and decisive rally for the region and would mark the beginning of a stronger political campaign for the Congress in Punjab.
“The people of Punjab are ready for change. In 2027, the Congress will return with a decisive mandate, and Baba Bakala will be remembered as one of the important turning points in that political journey,” Randhawa said.