A high-level Congress delegation, led by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has launched a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led central government, accusing them of allowing political rivalry to exacerbate the state’s devastating flood crisis. According to the leaders, a severe lack of cooperation between the two administrations has converted a natural disaster into a man-made disaster, greatly increasing the suffering of the populace.
The delegation conducted a ground assessment of flood-affected areas and will be submitting its findings to senior party leader Rahul Gandhi.
What is the Allegation?
The main charge made by Congress leaders is that political hostility has impeded disaster management efforts. While acknowledging that floods are a natural phenomenon, they argued that the government’s response was crippled by partisan politics.
“While floods are a natural disaster, the political confrontation between the Centre and the state government has made it harder for people to get the help they need,” Baghel stated during his interaction with people at the Kartarpur Corridor on Sunday.
This “confrontation,” they claim, has stalled coordinated relief efforts, delayed aid, and left affected communities without timely assistance.
Who Was Part of the Fact-Finding Delegation?
The delegation comprised top Congress leadership from both the national and state levels, signaling the party’s serious focus on the issue. It included:
- Bhupesh Baghel: Former CM of Chhattisgarh and AICC in-charge of Punjab.
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring: President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC).
- Partap Singh Bajwa: Leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Punjab.
- Charanjit Singh Channi: Former Chief Minister of Punjab.
Their presence was intended to guarantee a thorough report and give the assessment more weight.
Which Areas Did the Congress Team Visit?
The delegation did not limit its visit to a single district. To get a complete picture of the devastation, they toured some of the worst-hit regions across Punjab, including:
- Gurdaspur
- Tarn Taran
- Amritsar
- Ferozepur
- Fazilka
This extensive tour was intended to gather first-hand accounts and assess the ground-level implementation of relief measures.
What is the Congress’s Demand?
The leadership of the state Congress has made a clear demand in addition to the criticism. The prime minister should “rise beyond political disagreements and deliver a substantial relief package for the flood-affected people,” said Raja Warring, president of the Punjab Congress.
This call underscores their argument that emergency relief should be a non-partisan issue and that the central government has a responsibility to support state citizens regardless of the ruling party in power.
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What is the Next Step for the Congress?
Bhupesh Baghel affirmed that a formal report will be created based on the observations and results from their visit of the flood-affected districts. Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress politician who was one of the first people in the country to express worry about the tragedy, will receive this information.
This move is likely part of a broader strategy to keep the issue in the national spotlight and pressure the ruling governments at both levels.
In Indian federalism, the charge targets a crucial problem: emergency cooperation between the federal and state governments. When disaster strikes, a swift and unified response is essential.
