AAP’s Punjab unit posted on X on Sunday, Oct 16, slamming Channi for showing up at a Ropar sand‑mining site in a tipper truck at 1 a.m. The post cited photographs of Channi with alleged miners and the arrest of his nephew on 10 crore rupees, demanding the former chief minister confront his own charges first.
Channi, who left office as Punjab’s chief minister and now serves as a Congress MP, claimed he was checking illegal mining activity when he arrived at the site. He said the operators fled when he stopped them and that he had called the Ropar deputy commissioner but no officials arrived to intervene.
Congress spokesperson Barinder Singh Dhillon, who accompanied Channi, denied any wrongdoing and said the allegations were politically motivated. He urged AAP to focus on governance rather than sensationalist attacks.
The clash arrives as Punjab gears up for a state election in December. AAP’s criticism could influence voter sentiment, while the central government has hinted at launching an inquiry into the alleged sand‑mining network.
Observers note that the controversy highlights the broader issue of illegal mining that has damaged rivers and livelihoods across Punjab. Stakeholders now await the election commission’s decision on whether to initiate a formal probe.