India, Nov. 5 -- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks about Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's alleged alcohol consumption have triggered a war of words between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with both parties trading accusations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Addressing the Congress's 'Insaaf Rally' at Phaguwala village in Sangrur district on Wednesday, Gandhi recalled his interactions with Mann when they were both members of Parliament. He alleged that Mann used to crack jokes during parliamentary proceedings and that he could smell alcohol on the chief minister's breath by 11 am.

Gandhi said he was not questioning Mann's personal choice to consume alcohol but argued that a chief minister leading a camp...