Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s ‘Bomb Blast’ Revelation Puts Congress in Trouble, BJP & AAP Launch Attacks

Old leaders of Punjab Congress are once again creating difficulties for the party. Following Navjot Kaur, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has sparked controversy with a recent interview in which she revealed that she was advised to orchestrate bomb blasts to win elections—a suggestion she firmly rejected. Her statement has put the Congress on the defensive.

Former CM Bhattal Claims Officials Suggested Election Violence
Chandigarh: Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s explosive remarks have put the Congress in a difficult position. Both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party have targeted the Congress, which is now on the back foot. Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring are working to manage the situation.

Bhattal, who served as Punjab CM during 1996–97, told a YouTuber in a recent interview that officials had advised her to create panic by organizing blasts in markets and on trains to influence voters. She clarified that she firmly rejected this advice, warning officials against engaging in “politics of corpses,” and insisted that even minor incidents should not be exaggerated for political gain.

BJP Alleges Politics of Violence
Following Bhattal’s revelation, the BJP, AAP, and Shiromani Akali Dal have cornered the Congress. BJP leader Sunil Jakhar stated that Punjab continues to face law and order challenges, and leaders like Bhattal should exercise caution in their statements. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused Congress of practicing politics rooted in violence and killings, citing past instances when Punjab suffered under Congress rule due to gang and criminal activities.

AAP spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal demanded that Bhattal reveal the names of the officials who allegedly advised such actions, calling the revelation a reflection of Congress’s “true character.”

Baghel and Warring Step in to Defend Congress
As the controversy grew, Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel clarified that no such advice was acted upon during the party’s tenure, and no incidents occurred. He appealed to other political parties not to politicize the issue. Punjab Congress president Raja Amarinder Singh Warring described Bhattal’s statement as her personal view and retaliated against opposition parties. Warring cited periods of anarchy during Shiromani Akali Dal rule, including several instances of sacrilege, and also criticized the BJP over the CRPF casualties in the Pulwama attack. He asserted that Congress has made significant sacrifices for the country and does not need lessons from others.

Internal Controversies Continue to Haunt Congress
Congress has repeatedly faced internal controversies due to statements by its leaders. In December, Navjot Kaur Sidhu created a stir with her “Rs 500 crore suitcase” remark while aspiring for the CM post. In January, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi expressed concerns over neglect of Dalit leaders within the party, prompting intervention from the Congress high command. The public disclosure of private discussions has also raised concerns within the party.