Prime Minister Should Have Addressed Punjab's Burning Issues Instead of Limiting His Visit to a Railway Station Inauguration: Pargat

If the Centre Introduces the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Monsoon Session, Congress Will Launch a Massive Public Agitation in Punjab

Chandigarh, July 17, 2026: Senior Congress leader and MLA Pargat Singh reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab, stating that instead of merely inaugurating a railway station, the Prime Minister should have addressed the serious and pressing issues concerning Punjab and the country. He said the Prime Minister should have responded to concerns regarding the proposed US trade deal and its likely adverse impact on farmers, the alleged injustice being faced by MGNREGA workers in Punjab, and the recent baton charge on workers.
Pargat Singh said that Punjab is currently facing several serious challenges, but the Prime Minister is ignoring these issues and instead giving priority to inaugurating relatively small projects such as railway stations. He added that earlier, Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also drawn criticism for inaugurating public toilets and congratulating themselves over such events, which he described as highly embarrassing. According to him, it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister's visit was similarly confined to such programmes.
He said that if the proposed US trade deal is implemented, the country's farmers and agricultural sector will suffer the most. Its impact, he claimed, will be felt for years to come and will not be easy to reverse. He urged the Central Government to place farmers' interests above all else.
On the issue of MGNREGA, Pargat Singh also criticized the Punjab Government. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government implemented MGNREGA under pressure from the Centre and is now attempting to evade responsibility by claiming that it is a Central Government scheme. He further said that the same government had earlier convened a special session of the Punjab Assembly and passed a resolution opposing MGNREGA. According to him, this has exposed the Aam Aadmi Party's double standards before the public.
Pargat Singh said that the Central Government may attempt to introduce the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. He warned that if such a proposal is brought forward, the Congress party will launch a large-scale public movement across Punjab and oppose it vigorously through democratic means.
He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in Punjab in order to project the message that only it is capable of governing the state. He further claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party is indirectly advancing the BJP's political agenda in Punjab.
Responding to questions regarding alleged factionalism within the Congress party, Pargat Singh asserted that the party remains united. He acknowledged that certain recent developments had caused some setbacks, but said the Congress organisation continues to move forward with strength. He also condemned the recent incident of jostling involving Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa during a rally, stating that such incidents have no place in democratic politics.
In conclusion, Pargat Singh congratulated Aryan Gupta for his outstanding performance in the NEET examination. He said that if competitive examinations such as NEET are conducted with complete transparency and without any paper leaks, deserving and talented students will receive due recognition for their hard work and their future will remain secure.