Jalandhar: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday pledged that the BJP, if voted to power in Punjab, will eradicate the trade of “chitta” (synthetic drugs) from the state by December 31, 2029.
Addressing the BJP’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra in Jalandhar, Shah targeted the governing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging it had allowed the drug trade to thrive openly. He announced that making Punjab drug-free would be the BJP’s primary plank in the 2027 assembly elections.
On his arrival at Jalandhar in the afternoon, the home minister paid obeisance at the local Shree Devi Talab temple. Later, he met families affected by the menace of drugs. The BJP’s yatra reached every village in Punjab, raising drug awareness while also inspiring youngsters to join the campaign, he added.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin flagged off the first of the four statewide anti-drug yatras from the Ekta Sthal in Pathankot on September 18.
“While there are several issues like farming, industry, law and order, and women’s safety, the BJP will fight this election solely on the issue of a drug-free Punjab,” Shah said, appealing to the state’s youth and mothers for support. Highlighting the Narendra Modi government’s track record, Shah said that the regime had delivered on its commitments ahead of set deadlines, citing the eradication of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, alongside the wiping out of Naxalism. Before addressing the rally at Paragpur, in a post in Punjabi on X, Shah said Punjab is grappling with a serious drug problem due to the AAP government’s poor governance and called the Mann dispensation an “aapda (disaster)”. He said the people of Punjab are waging a decisive battle against drugs and uniting the state in the process. Earlier reporting noted: The political battle over Punjab’s drug crisis has intensified as Union Home Minister Amit Shah headlines an anti-drug rally in Jalandhar as part of the statewide “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra”, and the AAP questioning the Centre’s role in tackling the drug supply chain.
Earlier reporting noted: The AAP leader then raised the stakes, and fired a series of questions at the Home Minister. Earlier reporting noted: “Amit Shah ji, yesterday Punjab asked questions. Today, at the Jalandhar rally, it is time for answers,” AAP leader Neel Garg said, questioning the Minister.
