States » NorthPosted at: Nov 12 2026 5:04PM


AAP questions Rs 1 crore bicycle spending as former Punjab CM Channi launches eight-day march

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Nov 12 (UNI) Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday launched his eight-day 'Jawani Sambhal' (Save the Youth) cycle march from Chamkaur Sahib to highlight drug abuse and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. However, the Congress campaign immediately faced questions from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the alleged purchase of 2,000 bicycles worth Rs 1 crore.
AAP's Chamkaur Sahib constituency in-charge Jasbir Singh Garhi demanded that Channi disclose the source of funds used to purchase the bicycles and make public the purchase bills and details of taxes paid.
Garhi questioned the source of the alleged Rs 1 crore expenditure and whether applicable taxes had been paid.
The controversy comes as the Congress has intensified its campaign against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, raising issues of drug trafficking, organised crime, unemployment and public safety.
Congress general secretary and Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot said the 'Jawani Sambhal' march reflected growing public concern over the law and order situation in the state.
"The people of Punjab are demanding justice from the present government. This campaign is not merely about a Congress victory but about putting Punjab back on track," Pilot said.
He accused the Mann government of failing to address serious public concerns despite having an opportunity to deliver on its promises.
"Whenever serious issues are raised, Bhagwant Mann responds with jokes instead of answering people's questions," Pilot alleged.
Pilot said Congress would raise issues affecting the people of Punjab and hold the government accountable for its performance.
He also questioned AAP's early announcement of candidates for the Assembly elections, alleging that the ruling party has been forced to act after several leaders defected, including some who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to Sachin Pilot, the early announcement was intended to prevent further departures from AAP. He said Congress would announce its own candidates soon.
Channi, who heads the Punjab Congress campaign committee, began the march after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Qatalgarh Sahib in Chamkaur Sahib. He subsequently addressed a public gathering at Chamkaur Sahib Stadium.
According to the announced itinerary, the cyclists were scheduled to travel to Khamano for lunch before reaching Samrala for an overnight halt.
The campaign is expected to cover approximately 625 km across 27 to 28 Assembly constituencies, with around 2,000 cyclists participating. It is scheduled to conclude in Khanna on November 19.
The march is part of a wider Congress outreach programme aimed at reconnecting with voters, particularly in the politically significant Malwa region, where AAP won a decisive majority of Assembly seats in the 2022 elections.
Channi has said the campaign will seek direct feedback from residents, particularly young people, on drug abuse, unemployment, corruption and public safety.
The cycle march follows Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent rally in Sangrur and comes as political parties step up preparations for the next Assembly elections.
The dispute over the bicycles has raised questions about the campaign's financing, although no documentary evidence establishing the alleged expenditure or any financial irregularity has been made public.
UNI NB AAB
Tags: #AAP questions Rs 1 crore bicycle spending as former Punjab CM Channi launches eight-day march
More News

Stubble burning: 54 FIRs in Haryana's Karnal, Kaithal; 45 officials served notices

13 Nov 2026 | 12:15 AM

Panchkula, Nov 12 (UNI) Haryana authorities have registered 54 FIRs over stubble burning in Karnal and Kaithal districts, imposed financial penalties and initiated action against farmers on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal, while 45 officials have been served notices over lapses linked to crop residue burning incidents.
The action comes as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) warned of a rise in farm fires around Diwali and directed authorities in four Haryana districts to intensify surveillance over the next seven days.

see more..

Rajasthan's model of 'good governance' to figure in deliberations at IIAS-IISA Seoul conference

13 Nov 2026 | 12:12 AM

Jaipur, Nov 12 (UNI) Rajasthan's model of good governance would be discussed at the global forum of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS-IISA)) in Seoul, South Korea later this month.

see more..

Punjab, Haryana swing from surplus monsoon to severe rainfall deficit; 29 districts affected: IMD

12 Nov 2026 | 11:45 PM

Kamlesh Kali
Panchkula, Nov 12 (UNI) Punjab and Haryana witnessed a sharp reversal in monsoon rainfall in 2026, with both states slipping from substantial rainfall surpluses last year to deficits of 38 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively, while 29 of their 44 districts recorded deficient or largely deficient rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

see more..

Haryana targets 70 pc conversion of investment MoUs into projects

12 Nov 2026 | 11:43 PM

Chandigarh, Nov 12 (UNI) The Haryana government has set a target of converting at least 70 per cent of investment agreements signed under its new industrial policy into operational projects, with work already initiated on proposals involving more than Rs 1.05 lakh crore, Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh said on Thursday. .

see more..

J&K CM expresses grief over killing of two SPOs in Kishtwar

12 Nov 2026 | 11:35 PM

Jammu, Nov 12 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed profound grief and anguish over the tragic killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar district.

see more..