Randhawa seeks probe into chief secy, DGP attending Moga event; fight against drugs collective, replies AAP

Chandigarh: Congress MP and former deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday wrote to Union minister of state (independent charge) for personnel, public grievances and pensions Jitendra Singh, raising what he described as a "serious institutional concern" over the DGP and chief secretary taking the stage at state govt's event in Moga.Randhawa's letter came even as AAP defended the presence of officials at what the Congress leader said looked like an event of AAP. "Those who are questioning the presence of officers at the event perhaps forgot that this war against drugs is not only the govt's war, but a collective fight of the police, administration and the people," said Baltej Pannu, AAP Punjab state media in-charge.
In the letter to Jitendra Singh, Randhawa said the event was projected as part of the state's campaign against drugs. However, he said, by all visible indications, the gathering had the character of a political rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party. He referred to the repeated display of party flags and insignia, partisan sloganeering by the audience, and the presence of Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, as chief guest. Party leader Manish Sisodia was also present on the dais, he noted.Randhawa said Kejriwal's concluding remarks cast the event in political terms, ending with an appeal or hope directed towards the party's political objectives. He wrote that in protocol and substance, the function appeared to operate as a partisan political platform rather than a neutral govt programme. Reacting to Randhawa's letter, Pannu said, "Why did his pen not move at the time when the people of Punjab were deceived by Congress with a false oath on eradicating drugs? Today, when the police, administration and the public are united in fighting against drugs, Randhawa Sahib is writing letters to the Centre." Meanwhile, the Congress MP also pointed out that the chief minister of Punjab was also present at the eventr. Citing the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, particularly Rule 5, which prohibits participation in political activities and public association with political parties, Randhawa said members of the All India Services are bound by the doctrine of political neutrality.He referred to the Supreme Court's emphasis in Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) on insulating the police from political influence, and warned that such developments, if left unexamined, risk eroding public confidence in the impartiality of the civil service and police, blurring the distinction between the State and the ruling political party, and undermining administrative neutrality.Randhawa requested that a factual report be sought from the govt of Punjab regarding the precise nature of the event and the role played by the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. He also urged that the matter be examined to determine whether their participation was consistent with the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and whether any action was warranted under the applicable disciplinary framework.Hitting out at rival parties, Pannu said VDCs' oath-taking ceremony had increased the discomfort of traditional parties that pushed Punjab's youth into synthetic drugs for political gains. "Despite his health issues, CM Bhagwant Mann came straight from the hospital to the rally and administered the oath to 1.25 lakh members, which reflects his commitment to the war against drugs," he added.