'An evening in Paris': Opposition questions 'nature' of Punjab CM Mann's France visit

Opposition leaders accusing the CM of being away from the state amid a drug crisis, recent killings and law-and-order concerns

NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit to Paris has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, with the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal questioning the purpose of his trip while raising concerns over drug abuse and law and order in Punjab. The backlash comes as the state government faces scrutiny over recent killings linked to the state's drug menace, with the Union home ministry seeking reports on the cases.

BJP national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh alleged that Mann's foreign trip, which he said coincided with the chief minister's birthday, was inappropriate at a time when Punjab was facing multiple crises. "Punjab is burning in the fire of drug addiction; law and order have completely collapsed... 23 police stations have been targeted in grenade attacks, and even police personnel feel unsafe while in uniform. At a time when all of Punjab is engulfed in a raging crisis, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has chosen to travel to France with his wife to celebrate his birthday. This is a deeply distressing situation," Chugh said on Saturday.

Questioning the nature of the visit, the BJP leader alleged, "If this is an official state visit, how is his wife accompanying him? In reality, a birthday party is being hosted in France under the guise of an official state visit." Chugh also targeted the AAP government over the drug menace and security concerns, claiming that people opposing drug abuse were being killed and citing grenade attacks on police stations.

The chief minister also faced criticism from Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who alleged that Mann had attended a police meeting in Phillaur on October 16 while under the influence of alcohol. The allegation has not been independently verified. Referring to Mann's birthday and his trip to Paris, Majithia said, "Today is his birthday. I even tweeted today about 'An Evening in Paris', which is a famous Hindi song, 'Rang-rangiliyan manane gaye hain'." Majithia questioned the chief minister's handling of the drug issue, alleging that Mann had attended a meeting on the menace while intoxicated.

"Holding a meeting against drugs while being drunk as the Chief Minister, what on earth is happening?" he said. Separately, Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticised the Punjab government's handling of law and order, alleging that killings, extortion, ransom demands and encounters had become common in the state. Speaking during a visit to Moga district on Saturday, Pilot called for accountability and faster legal action in murder cases. He also referred to a family that, he alleged, had been waiting for justice and assistance three years after the death of a young man's father. The opposition attacks come amid continuing criticism of the AAP government over drug abuse, gang violence and security in Punjab. The allegations against Mann and his government form part of the opposition's broader challenge to the state's handling of law and order.