BREAKING: Rahul Gandhi Is Congress’s CM Face in Punjab, Says K. C. Venugopal; Calls Amit Shah’s 2029 Drug-Free India Claim a “Big, Big, Big Joke”
Congress Leader Launches Sharp Attack on BJP Over Drug Menace, Questions Its Record in Gujarat and at the Centre
Ravi Jakhu | Chandigarh, October 26, 2026
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre over the drug menace, while making a significant statement about Rahul Gandhi being the Congress party’s Chief Ministerial face in Punjab.
Ridiculing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim of eliminating the drug menace by December 2029, Venugopal described it as a “big, big, big joke.” He questioned the BJP’s credibility on the issue, arguing that the party had failed to tackle drug trafficking despite being in power in Gujarat for a long time and at the Centre for the past 13–14 years.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Venugopal acknowledged that drugs remain a serious problem in Punjab. He challenged the BJP to explain why it had not been able to eradicate the drug menace in Gujarat or effectively stop drug smuggling across the country’s borders despite its long tenure in power.
“Despite being in power in Gujarat and at the Centre, the BJP has failed to eradicate the drug menace in Gujarat or stop drug smuggling across the country’s borders,” Venugopal said, targeting the BJP’s record on tackling the problem.
He also took aim at Amit Shah’s slogan of making Punjab drug-free, accusing the BJP of engaging in political rhetoric in Punjab despite its alleged failure to address the problem in states where it is in power.
Venugopal questioned the Centre’s effectiveness in curbing cross-border drug trafficking and challenged the BJP’s claims of delivering a drug-free society, particularly in view of the persistent problem in Gujarat.
Rahul Gandhi as Congress’s CM Face in Punjab?
In a politically significant remark, Venugopal also made a statement identifying Rahul Gandhi as the Congress party’s Chief Ministerial face in Punjab. His comments are likely to draw attention amid discussions over the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Venugopal announced that Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, would visit Sangrur on November 4 and launch the Congress’s campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on a large scale from there. He said Rahul Gandhi shared a deep emotional bond with Punjab and its people, who also held him in great affection. Describing the Congress as a party committed to democratic values, he said that the views of all party leaders and workers were given importance. To strengthen the organisation and accelerate preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, the party held four important meetings on Monday. The discussions focused on election strategy, organisational strengthening and the party’s roadmap for the coming months.
Punjab Congress president Sardar Pargat Singh said that all Congress leaders and workers had united to save Punjab and protect the interests of the state. He added that the anti-people policies and failures of the Aam Aadmi Party government would be exposed before the public.
Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot said that the Congress would enter the upcoming Assembly elections fully prepared and with a strong strategy. He said that the meetings chaired by K.C. Venugopal had focused throughout the day on election preparations and strengthening the organisation. Preparations for Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Sangrur had also begun.
Senior leaders present on the occasion included Punjab Assembly Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former Chief Minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi, former Punjab Congress president and MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, MP Dr. Amar Singh, former minister Vijay Inder Singla and other senior party leaders.
Watch the video for K. C. Venugopal’s full remarks: