The political temperature in Punjab rose sharply after senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, claiming that the state’s security situation has worsened due to rising gangster activity, extortion networks and alleged cross-border threats from Pakistan. The high-profile meeting also came at a time when the Punjab Congress is witnessing internal unrest following the party’s organisational reshuffle.
Randhawa said he approached the Union Home Minister to draw attention to what he described as an alarming breakdown of law and order in Punjab, particularly in districts located along the international border. According to him, criminal gangs are operating freely while extortion rackets continue to target businesses and ordinary citizens.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Randhawa claimed he had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns over “gangsters ruling the state” and warning about alleged Pakistan-backed narco-terror activities in Punjab’s border belt. He said the meeting with Amit Shah was a continuation of those concerns.
Quoting his interaction with the Home Minister, Randhawa said, “The home minister asked me if he had spoken to the DGP of the state…. Extortions are happening and those in jails are speaking through mobiles. Talk is also going on about looting elections with the help of goons and gangsters.”
He further urged the Centre to play a stronger role in tackling what he called a national security issue, adding, “I asked the minister about the role of the Centre in checking this. It cannot run away from this threat to national security as Pakistan is directly involved.”
The meeting has also attracted political attention because it took place while the Punjab Congress is facing growing dissatisfaction over recent organisational appointments. Several leaders have reportedly expressed disappointment after the party leadership decided to continue with its existing state leadership, triggering speculation about internal divisions ahead of the Assembly elections.
Randhawa admitted that the developments within the Congress were unfortunate but insisted that the situation was still manageable. “It certainly hurts when all this is happening after a list comes out. I have the habit of speaking out the truth, and I don’t know what it means,” he said.
He added, “This situation is not so bad as you think. But, it is a matter to ponder that it should not have come to this. It is unfortunate that after so many meetings, people are still not satisfied.”
With the Punjab Assembly elections only months away, the simultaneous emergence of security concerns and internal political disagreements is expected to intensify the political battle in the state. Randhawa’s meeting with Amit Shah is likely to fuel further debate over Punjab’s law-and-order situation as well as the Congress party’s preparedness for the upcoming electoral contest.
