A video showing three Punjab ministers discussing cruise trips in Sweden and Goa during a flood inspection in Tarn Taran district has sparked political outrage, with the BJP and Congress targeting the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government.
The video, originally livestreamed on minister Laljit Singh Bhullar’s Facebook account, showed Bhullar along with Harbhajan Singh and Barinder Kumar Goyal sitting on a boat wearing lifejackets as they inspected flood-affected areas amid heavy rains. Unaware that their conversation was being streamed, the ministers were heard talking about luxury cruises.
“I went for a cruise in Sweden. You could stay aboard round the clock because it has everything on the ship itself, hotel and all,” Harbhajan Singh said in the clip. Goyal then asked him more about the trip, to which Bhullar replied, “It was the same as in Goa.”
Following the livestream, another video was posted on Bhullar’s account where the ministers urged residents to follow the government’s safety instructions and shift to safer locations.
Bhullar is Punjab’s transport minister, Singh handles buildings and roads, while Goyal is the water resources minister. The three have been deputed as flood relief in-charges for the state’s border districts.
The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said on X, “Flood-hit families in Punjab beg for a glass of drinking water, but @AAPPunjab Ministers @barinder\_goyal, @Laljitbhullar & @AAPHarbhajan found time to relive their ‘golden memories’ of luxury cruises in Sweden & Goa. What a relief tour!”
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also attacked the AAP government, posting, “Punjab has drowned, fields have been destroyed, houses have been devastated, families are on the streets. But even in these conditions, the minister is talking about a Sweden-Goa cruise instead of sitting on a boat and sharing the pain of the flood victims!”
He further alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had “failed to live up to the expectations of the people.” Chugh added, “The public is asking, did Punjab give you power so that you can tell stories of luxury in times of crisis? Or so that you can reduce our troubles? The leaders who talk about luxury in times of disaster are actually the biggest culprits of the destruction of Punjab.”
At least eight districts in Punjab are facing flooding, with the Army, Border Security Force, Indian Air Force and National Disaster Response Force assisting in rescue and evacuation efforts.
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