Nine-Minute Assembly Session Exposes AAP Government’s Fear of Accountability: Pargat Singh

Chandigarh, October 22, 2026: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Pargat Singh launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government for concluding the Punjab Assembly session in just nine minutes. He alleged that instead of answering questions on crucial issues, including the murder of Parminder Singh Jhota, the government chose to evade accountability and run away from the Assembly. Holding Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann responsible for the deteriorating administrative situation and the government's failures, he demanded his resignation.
Pargat Singh said there was no visible governance in Punjab. Government employees, computer teachers, ETT teachers and PRTC employees, along with people from various sections of society, were struggling for their rights. However, instead of resolving their grievances, the government was looking for ways to avoid them. He said the Aam Aadmi Party had made tall promises about governing Punjab, but the state was now witnessing administrative mismanagement and a clear lack of accountability.
He alleged that those who had been running Punjab from Delhi had now politically distanced themselves from the situation, but they could not escape responsibility for the damage caused to the state. Pargat Singh said that once Congress forms the government, accountability will be fixed for everyone responsible for harming Punjab's interests and doing injustice to its people. He said the number of people who may have to answer for their actions could be around 125 to 150, adding that no one would be spared.
Pargat Singh also strongly objected to the omission of the name of Parminder Singh Jhota, who had raised his voice against drugs, and the names of MGNREGA workers who lost their lives in an accident from the Assembly's condolence list. He said the accident, in which eight people, including a pregnant woman, were injured, should also have been treated with due seriousness. Excluding those who fought for justice and raised their voices for the rights of others reflected the government's insensitivity.
He questioned the role of the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly in preparing the condolence list. “Where was the Speaker? Was he asleep?” he asked. He said responsibility must be fixed for such serious negligence and those whose names were omitted must be accorded the respect they deserved.
Referring to the case involving Parminder Singh Jhota, Pargat Singh said that Signature capsules had been seized in 2023. Despite this, allegations had continued to emerge that these capsules were being sold under changed names over the past five years. He said six shops had been shut down in an enforcement action on the day of Jhota's murder. He demanded that accountability be fixed on the Health Minister in connection with the case.
He further pointed out that the accused had allegedly been issued a firearm licence despite facing five serious criminal cases, raising grave questions about the functioning of the administration. He asked how the process of issuing the licence proceeded even after an FIR had been registered and what role the officials concerned had played. Pargat Singh demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged administrative irregularities and accountability for anyone found guilty.
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Punjab, Pargat Singh said he welcomed Amit Shah in his capacity as Home Minister. However, he stressed that visits to Punjab and political rhetoric alone would not resolve the state's problems. The Central Government must explain what concrete steps it had taken so far to curb the drug trade in Punjab and safeguard the state's interests.
He said that if a demand for a CBI investigation had been raised in the Parminder Singh Jhota case, the Central Government should consider it seriously and take appropriate action. Questioning the BJP's policies, he said the Centre's role and accountability must be clearly established on all matters concerning Punjab's interests.