Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demands Punjab minister's removal over villager's death

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday escalated his attack on the Punjab government, demanding the removal of Health Minister Harpal Cheema and a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding a villager's death. Gandhi's intervention signals rising tensions between the opposition and the ruling AAP administration in the state.

The Congress leader alleged that a troubling pattern was emerging under the AAP government in Punjab, whereby any questioning of administrative failures was met with threats and alleged harassment of complainants. He contended that the handling of the villager's death case exemplified the government's dismissive attitude toward public grievances and accountability.

Gandhi's statement reflects broader opposition criticism of the Mann-led government's governance track record since taking office. The Congress has targeted the AAP administration on multiple fronts, from law and order issues to bureaucratic accountability, seeking to capitalize on any perceived lapses in governance.

The AAP government has not yet responded to Gandhi's demands for the minister's resignation and independent probe. The incident adds to mounting political pressure on the Punjab administration as it faces mounting scrutiny from opposition parties ahead of potential political developments in the state.