Chandigarh-Punjab State Congress President and MLA Pargat Singh has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of failing to address questions in the Legislative Assembly concerning the demand for justice for late anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota and alleged political patronage extended to drug traffickers.
In a statement following the Assembly proceedings, Pargat Singh alleged that the Chief Minister did not adequately respond to the opposition’s concerns regarding the Jhota case and the alleged protection enjoyed by those involved in the drug trade. He criticised the ruling party for moving a condemnation motion against the opposition, describing the move as contrary to democratic traditions and the spirit of legislative debate.
Pargat Singh maintained that the opposition’s responsibility was to raise issues affecting the public and demand accountability from the government. He said that the people’s judgment mattered more to his party than a condemnation motion passed by the ruling party.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over the alleged treatment of Parminder Singh Jhota’s family. He accused the government of using the bureaucracy to harass and humiliate the family and alleged that the family’s suffering was being ridiculed through the ruling party’s IT cell. These allegations require an official response from the Punjab government, and the specific actions cited would need to be independently established.
Pargat Singh said the opposition would continue to raise the issue until the family received justice and its concerns were addressed. He asserted that the demand for accountability in the case would not be silenced by proceedings inside the Assembly.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the role of the Punjab Legislative Assembly in addressing sensitive public issues, particularly allegations concerning drug trafficking, political influence and the treatment of families seeking justice. The central questions are whether the government has adequately answered the opposition’s concerns, what steps have been taken in connection with the Jhota case, and whether the family has received a fair and transparent hearing.
The Punjab government’s response to Pargat Singh’s allegations, along with clarification regarding the condemnation motion and the treatment of Jhota’s family, would be necessary to establish the full picture of the dispute.