‘Political vendetta over public safety’: MLA Khaira slams govt

Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Wednesday levelled serious allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of displaying double standards in tackling the growing gangster problem in Punjab.

He claimed that while organised crime continues to rise across the state, the government is preoccupied with political vendetta and VVIP protection instead of strengthening law and order.

In a sharply worded statement, Khaira said the recent suspension of IPS officer Maninder Singh — officially attributed to lapses in controlling the gangster situation — was “a political smokescreen.” He alleged that the officer’s suspension was linked not to operational failures but to his purported reluctance to arrest Kanchanpreet Kaur, daughter of a Shiromani Akali Dal candidate from Tarn Taran.

Khaira argued that this exposed how the government was “weaponising the police for political convenience.” Khaira also questioned the absence of immediate action against the SSP of SBS Nagar following a broad daylight gangster shooting in Banga, calling it a serious breach of public safety. He said the contrasting responses to incidents in different districts suggested selective action by the state government.

“No steps have been taken despite such a dangerous incident, which indicates that the AAP government targets officers only when it aligns with its political narrative,” he stated. The MLA expressed concern over what he described as a steep deterioration in law and order, claiming that incidents of gang wars, extortion, and targeted killings have become disturbingly frequent in recent months.

He criticised what he termed the “expanding VVIP culture” within AAP, alleging that ministers and leaders were enjoying “heavy police escorts and extraordinary security arrangements” even as the public faced rising insecurity. Khaira urged Mann to adopt a more impartial and professional approach to policing, stating that Punjab needs a law enforcement system free from political interference.