States » NorthPosted at: Nov 14 2026 2:41PM


'If Congress were in Power, Saini would be barred from Punjab': Pargat Singh; CM asks 'Why?'

Chandigarh, Nov 14 (UNI) A major political controversy erupted on Saturday over Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's visit to Punjab after senior Congress leader Pargat Singh declared that he would not have allowed Saini to enter the state if the Congress were in power, accusing the Haryana government of having blood on its hands over the death of a young farmer during the farmers' agitation.
Saini, who was visiting Pathankot to attend a public function, questioned the Congress leader's remarks and said he was unaware of the allegations made against him.
"If there had been a Congress government in Punjab, Nayab Singh Saini would not have been allowed to enter the state," Pargat Singh said, making one of the strongest political statements against the Haryana chief minister over the handling of the farmers' agitation.
The former Punjab minister alleged that the Haryana government bore responsibility for the death of young farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed during clashes at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana in February 2024.
"The blood of Punjab's youth is on the hands of the Saini government," Pargat Singh alleged, accusing Haryana police of using force against protesting farmers.
The Congress leader specifically referred to Shubhkaran Singh's death, claiming that the young farmer had been killed in Haryana police action during the agitation.
His remarks brought the politically sensitive issue of the farmers' protests back into focus, reopening questions over police action at the interstate borders and accountability for deaths and injuries reported during the demonstrations.
Shubhkaran Singh's death had sparked widespread protests and condemnation from farmer organisations and political parties in Punjab, with demands for accountability over the circumstances in which he was killed.
The incident occurred in February 2024, before Saini assumed office as Haryana chief minister in March that year.
Responding to the controversy, Saini questioned why he should be prevented from entering Punjab.
"Why would I not be allowed to enter Punjab?" Saini asked when reporters sought his response to Pargat Singh's statement during his visit to Pathankot.
When journalists informed him that the Congress leader had levelled serious allegations against him concerning the death of a farmer, Saini said he was unaware of the remarks.
"I have no information about this," the chief minister said before leaving without elaborating further.
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Tags: #'If Congress were in Power# Saini would be barred from Punjab': Pargat Singh; CM asks 'Why?'
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