CHANDIGARH: The presence of Punjab’s top bureaucrats — Director General of Police and Chief Secretary K.K. Yadav — at a political rally of the Aam Aadmi Party in Moga has triggered a major political controversy, with opposition parties alleging violation of service rules and demanding action. Both officers also addressed the rally.
Leaders of the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal have strongly objected to senior civil and police officials sharing a stage at a political event, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines administrative neutrality.
Senior SAD leader and spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the incident reflected a “downfall of bureaucracy” and urged the Election Commission of India to take immediate cognisance. “Free and fair elections will not be possible under such officers, ” he said, alleging that the neutrality of the administration had been compromised.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar termed the participation of the Chief Secretary and DGP in a political rally as a clear violation of service rules and contrary to the ethical standards expected from officers of the IAS and IPS. “Such actions erode public trust in governance, ” he said.
The Congress also mounted a sharp attack, demanding suspension of both officers. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took to social media platform X, alleging large-scale misuse of government machinery for the rally.
In his post, Warring claimed that around 890 government buses were diverted for the event, while officials including patwaris, BDPOs and panchayat secretaries were tasked with mobilising party workers. He further alleged that public funds were used to organise the rally.
“All this for a PR exercise which has no impact on the ground. Expensive rallies won’t solve the core issues like drug abuse, ” Warring said.
The ruling AAP, however, has not issued a detailed response to the allegations so far. Party sources have indicated that the presence of officials was in connection with government programmes and not a political endorsement.
The controversy has reignited debate over the role of civil servants in political events, with opposition parties warning that blurring the line between governance and politics could have serious implications for democratic institutions in the state.