Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa Predicts President's Rule in Punjab, Accuses AAP of Staging Floor Test

Key facts

• Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is the Congress MP from Gurdaspur and a former deputy chief minister of Punjab.
• Randhawa claimed the AAP government will not survive and President's Rule will be imposed in the coming days.
• He alleged AAP has 'dramatised' a special Vidhan Sabha session on Labour Day to conduct a floor test.
• Randhawa said several AAP MLAs are in touch with the BJP and may switch sides.
• He questioned the removal of the National Security Act (NSA) from Amritpal Singh, whose supporter was reportedly named in a railway blast.
• Randhawa called DGP Gaurav Yadav 'spineless' and said law and order in Punjab has deteriorated.
• He demanded central investigation agencies probe links between Bapu Tarseem Singh and the deceased accused in the blast.
• Randhawa said no Congress MP or MLA will join the BJP, but there is turmoil within AAP.

Randhawa’s Dire Warning for Punjab Government

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has predicted the collapse of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, asserting that President’s Rule will be imposed in the coming days. Speaking from Chandigarh, the former deputy chief minister claimed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is aware that several of his own MLAs are in contact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may defect. Randhawa alleged that the AAP government, fearing loss of power, has 'dramatised' a special Vidhan Sabha session scheduled for Labour Day. Under the cover of this session, he said, Mann plans to conduct a floor test to save his administration. The MP’s remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state.

Allegations of a Staged Floor Test

Randhawa accused the AAP leadership of using the Labour Day session as a smokescreen for a confidence vote. 'They fear losing power, which is why they have dramatised a special Vidhan Sabha session,' he said. The MP claimed that Mann knows his government is unstable, with several legislators in touch with the BJP and ready to switch sides. He further stated that no Congress MP or MLA has been approached or will join the BJP. 'Congress leaders have no need to switch, and the condition of those who left earlier is well known,' Randhawa added, dismissing rumours that former chief minister Charanjit Channi or other Congress MPs were in contact with the BJP.

Security Concerns After Railway Blast

Randhawa linked the political instability to a recent explosion on the Rajpura-Shambhu railway track, which he said has endangered Punjab’s peace and communal harmony. He questioned the chief minister after a supporter of MP Amritpal Singh’s party was reportedly named in connection with the blast. The MP demanded to know why and on whose advice the National Security Act (NSA) was removed from Amritpal Singh. 'An incident occurring soon after his release is alarming and signals danger,' Randhawa said, calling it a failure of both central and state agencies. He warned that the nexus between extremists and gangsters poses a serious threat to Hindu-Sikh unity in Punjab and must be broken to save the state.

Criticism of Chief Minister and Police Leadership

Randhawa criticised Chief Minister Mann for not visiting the blast site. 'Despite such a major explosion, the CM did not go to the spot. He should have convened an emergency meeting immediately but failed to do so,' he said. The MP also targeted DGP Gaurav Yadav, calling him 'spineless' and asserting that law and order in Punjab has deteriorated under his leadership. 'Conditions resembling terrorism are re-emerging, as evidenced by recent railway blasts,' Randhawa said, urging the DGP to take decisive steps to restore order. He noted that no investigation or chargesheet has been filed despite complaints by minister Harpal Cheema and AAP MLAs alleging attempts to poach them, questioning why no action has been taken against Cheema under relevant legal provisions if the allegations were false.

Demand for Central Probe and Verification

Randhawa demanded that central investigation agencies conduct a thorough probe into the alleged links between Bapu Tarseem Singh and the deceased accused in the railway blast. He urged authorities to verify viral photographs and take action against all those involved to prevent future threats and curb extremist elements. The MP also reacted strongly to AAP leaders calling their Rajya Sabha MPs 'traitors', saying that traitors have betrayed their own. He noted that many AAP leaders were previously part of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) or Congress and now hold ministerial or leadership positions in the AAP government. Randhawa reiterated that no Congress MP will leave the party, but acknowledged turmoil within AAP.

Political Turmoil and Outlook

Randhawa’s statements underscore the deepening political crisis in Punjab, with the opposition Congress predicting the fall of the AAP government. The special Vidhan Sabha session on Labour Day is expected to be a flashpoint, with the ruling party likely to face a floor test. Meanwhile, security concerns following the railway blast have added to the sense of urgency. As the BJP remains a key player in the defection game, the coming days will test the stability of the Mann government. Randhawa’s warnings, combined with the unresolved security issues, paint a picture of a state grappling with both political and extremist threats.

The bottom line

• Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa claims President’s Rule will be imposed in Punjab soon, citing AAP’s fear of losing power.
• He alleges Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is using a special Labour Day session to conduct a floor test as several AAP MLAs are in touch with BJP.
• A railway blast on the Rajpura-Shambhu track, linked to a supporter of Amritpal Singh, has raised security concerns and communal tensions.
• Randhawa criticises DGP Gaurav Yadav as 'spineless' and demands central investigation into extremist-gangster nexus.
• He asserts no Congress MP will defect to BJP, but acknowledges internal turmoil within AAP.
• The political and security situation in Punjab remains volatile, with the government’s survival uncertain.