Opposition can also appreciate govt’s good works: Sonia Mann to Alka Lamba

Responding to Congress leader Alka Lamba’s statement on the drug issue in the state, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sonia Mann countered by saying that the role of the opposition is not only to criticise the government but also to acknowledge and appreciate its good work.

Sonia Mann said for the first time, a government in the state was taking such massive action against drug traffickers.

“Anti-drug committees have been formed in every village and large-scale awareness campaigns are being conducted. It deserves praise but it is unfortunate that opposition leaders are resorting to petty politics even on the drug issue,” she said.

The AAP leader said during the Congress tenure, several ministers and MLAs were themselves accused of being involved in drug trafficking.

“Alka Lamba should say something about that also and she should question state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on why he is advocating for opening opium theke, which would only encourage drug use,” she remarked.

Mann said the Congress and SAD governments promoted drug use in Punjab by providing political patronage to drug traffickers. “It resulted in the destruction of thousands of families, with countless parents losing their children and many children becoming orphans. In contrast, the AAP government is taking strict action against the traffickers, sending them to jail and demolishing their illegal properties. It has created a fear among drug traffickers,” she said.

She urged Congress leaders to support government’s efforts to rid the state of drugs as quickly as possible, instead of politicising the menace.

On the other hand, AAP Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh tore into Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, lambasting his recent remarks on the SAD and calling out his political ambitions.

Sondh said Bajwa’s attempts to mislead people of the state would fail as the state had already moved beyond the Congress, SAD and BJP.

He said: “Say whatever you want, Bajwa Sahib, but you will never become the Chief Minister of Punjab. Write it down. The people of the state are wise enough to see through you. They have already rejected all traditional parties and dynasts in 2022.”

Mocking Bajwa’s concern over the SAD’s miserable state, Sondh remarked: “First, Sunil Jakhar claimed Akali Dal is ‘khali’ (hollow) and now, Bajwa is repeating it. Are the two of you planning to join the SAD or create a new version of it together? It seems neither the Congress nor the BJP has any direction in the state and their leaders are just scrambling for relevance.” said Sondh.

“The state is now focused on progress not outdated politics and rhetoric,” he said.