With the Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab is facing a series of controversies and challenges on the law and order, governance and corruption fronts.
Several of these matters have also reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, putting the government under increased political and judicial scrutiny. The suicide of a Dalit man, Gulzar Singh, in Sangrur has emerged as a major political challenge for the AAP government. His family alleged that he was harassed and subjected to casteist slurs for questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the supply of drugs in his area at an event in Dirba the day before. The High Court has sought a status report in the case and raised questions over the allegations involving a sitting minister. The allegations of custodial torture levelled by Sikh activist Mohanjeet Singh in Sangrur have put the Punjab Police under scrutiny. Singh alleged that he was tortured in custody after he protested during Bhagwant Mann’s programme. The matter has also reached the High Court and raised questions over police conduct and the government’s handling of the case. The allegation was made by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh. The matter has also attracted the attention of the National Human Rights Commission. Kaur has denied the allegations and issued a legal notice to the complainant. Government Employees’ Protests Growing protests by state government employees and pensioners are another challenge for the AAP government. Employee organisations have been raising demands related to salaries, pending dearness allowance, pensions, and other service matters. Demonstrations outside ministers’ residences have added to the pressure on the government to address employee grievances. The larger challenge for the AAP government is that these controversies span multiple areas, including law and order, policing, allegations of corruption, employee dissatisfaction, and Centre-State friction.
Singh died on September 7 after allegedly consuming poison. An allegation that Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Gurpreet Kaur, sought Rs 5 crore in connection with a rape case has created another political controversy for the ruling camp. 4.
Cheema has denied the allegations and said he will present evidence in his defence.
With several matters before the courts and political parties sharpening their attacks ahead of the polls, the government faces scrutiny on multiple fronts.
