Punjab bureaucrats address AAP’s anti-drug rally in Moga, Opposition alleges breach of service rules
The participation of the Chief Secretary and the state police chief in the rally has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties
PTC Web Desk: A political storm has erupted in Punjab after the state's Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) addressed a massive anti-drug rally organised in Moga district, where leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party were present on stage.
The event, held at village Killi Chahal near Moga, was part of the government’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign. It was attended by AAP’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with other senior party functionaries. According to sources in the state government, the gathering was an official government programme under the anti-narcotics drive.
However, the participation of the top bureaucrat and the state police chief in the rally has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The BJP questioned whether the involvement of senior civil and police officials in an event attended by ruling party leaders amounts to a violation of service conduct norms, including provisions under the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, which bar civil servants from engaging in political activity.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar raised concerns over whether senior officials are permitted to address what he described as a political rally. He alleged that the Punjab Government had blurred the line between official governance initiatives and party programmes.
The Shiromani Akali Dal and other opposition groups echoed similar objections. The SAD has sought intervention from the Governor of Punjab and the Election Commission of India, demanding an inquiry into the alleged use of public funds and administrative machinery for what it claims was effectively a political mobilisation exercise. The party has also questioned whether government resources were deployed for transporting attendees and managing arrangements at the venue.
So far, neither the Chief Secretary nor the DGP has issued a public clarification regarding their participation. The Punjab Government has also not released an official response to the allegations levelled by the opposition.