BJP leader BJP slammed Rahul Gandhi’s Punjab flood visit, accusing him of dramatics and breaching security protocols. He lauded Punjab Police’s firmness, while BJP questioned Congress aid to Himachal Pradesh instead of Punjab, sparking political debate over relief priorities.
A day after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited flood-hit regions of Punjab, sharp criticism has emerged from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday strongly objected to Gandhi’s conduct during the visit, describing his actions as “irresponsible dramatics” rather than meaningful relief efforts.
Rahul Gandhi, who toured inundated areas along the Indo-Pak border, was stopped by the Punjab Police from crossing a barbed fence in a sensitive flood-affected zone. Reports of a verbal confrontation between Gandhi and police officials have now triggered a heated political exchange.
Chugh expressed disapproval, remarking that Rahul Gandhi “should stop behaving like a papu in Punjab” and act with greater responsibility, especially in crisis-hit regions. He argued that, instead of staging confrontations, Gandhi should have used his platform as Leader of the Opposition to announce financial or logistical relief for flood victims.
“When thousands of people are suffering due to the floods, Rahul Gandhi should have announced a relief package, but he was in Punjab just for dramatics,” Chugh said in a press statement. He further alleged that Gandhi’s presence in Punjab “only shamed the people of the state” by prioritizing photo opportunities over real action.
Security Protocol Concerns
Chugh also raised concerns about Gandhi’s repeated violations of security protocols. According to him, the Congress leader has often undertaken private visits both in India and abroad without informing central security agencies. He claimed that Gandhi’s behavior undermines the efforts of uniformed forces tasked with ensuring his safety.
“Rahul has made it a habit to breach all security protocols. The Punjab Police, however, stood firm and did not bow to his pressure. It is high time that the Leader of the Opposition, who holds a Constitutional office, respects the directions of the security forces,” Chugh remarked.
Chugh added that Gandhi’s recent return from what he described as a “secret overseas visit” and his subsequent trip to Punjab were merely for optics. “He came to Punjab for a photo-op, shedding crocodile tears for the marooned families,” he said.
BJP Broadens the Attack
The criticism did not stop with Tarun Chugh. Another BJP leader, Pritpal Singh Baliawal, also took aim at Gandhi and the Congress party. He drew attention to financial assistance provided by the Congress-ruled Karnataka government, which recently announced a Rs 5 crore aid package for flood relief in Himachal Pradesh.
Baliawal questioned why no such aid was extended to Punjab despite its own flood crisis. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “For photo-ops it’s Punjab and for financial assistance it’s Himachal Pradesh.” He added that none of the eight Congress-ruled states or its alliance partners had provided funds for Punjab’s flood victims.
“Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was told earlier to ask Rahul what he has brought with him. Now they should tell who is anti-Punjab? Those who give relief or those who get photo-ops,” Baliawal said.
Karnataka’s Stand on Himachal Relief
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the state’s Rs 5 crore relief aid for Himachal Pradesh flood victims. He emphasized that the contribution was a humanitarian gesture aimed at supporting rehabilitation efforts in the disaster-hit hill state.
While Karnataka’s move has been welcomed in Himachal Pradesh, BJP leaders argue that the decision highlights misplaced priorities within the Congress party. They allege that Punjab, which is still grappling with large-scale destruction due to floods, was ignored for the sake of political optics.
Political Implications
The confrontation between Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Police, coupled with BJP’s sharp criticism, underscores the growing political friction in the aftermath of natural disasters. With Punjab struggling to recover from flood devastation, the political debate has shifted from relief measures to allegations of theatrics and misplaced priorities.
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The BJP’s narrative seeks to project Rahul Gandhi as a leader disconnected from ground realities, more focused on symbolic gestures than tangible action. On the other hand, Congress leaders are expected to defend Gandhi’s visit as an attempt to connect with affected families and highlight the state’s needs at a national level.
As the political blame game continues, flood-hit Punjab awaits concrete relief and rehabilitation initiatives, with residents hoping that leaders across party lines will prioritize recovery over rhetoric.
