Mukerian, 26 September (H.S.): Uttarakhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to curb the drug menace in Punjab and said the BJP would work to restore the state’s “lost pride and glory” and build a “rising, developed, safe, healthy and drug-free Punjab.”

Dhami was addressing public gatherings during the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ in Dasuha, Urmar and Mukerian. A number of BJP leaders, workers and local residents attended the programmes.

Dhami alleged that the Punjab government had given drug peddlers a free hand while those raising questions about the issue were being harassed. He also criticised the state government and police over what he described as inadequate action against drug trafficking.

“This is a murderous government,” Dhami said, adding that Punjab, known for the message of Sarbat Da Bhala (welfare of all), had now been affected by the drug problem. He referred to observations by courts regarding the handling of the drug menace in the state and termed the situation an indication of government failure.

Describing the BJP’s campaign, Dhami said the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ was not aimed at seeking votes but at restoring Punjab’s reputation and protecting the younger generation from drugs. He said the BJP had announced a decisive campaign against drug peddlers and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a commitment to work towards making Punjab drug-free.

Former Union Minister Som Prakash also targeted the Mann government over the drug issue. He alleged that drugs were reaching households across Punjab and claimed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal had earlier promised to eliminate drugs within three months. According to Prakash, several years had passed without the promised results.

Mukerian BJP MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a roadmap for tackling the drug problem and urged people to support efforts aimed at eliminating drug trafficking.

Punjab BJP General Secretary Parminder Singh Brar said the people of Punjab were seeking relief from drug peddlers and criticised the AAP government over its handling of the issue. He said, according to the party, a phase of change had begun in the state.

BJP District President Sanjeev Minhas, District BJP In-charge Rakesh Sharma, Uttarakhand Minister of State Vinay Rohilla, Tejinder Singh Bittu, Meenu Sethi, Ankit Rana, Anil Vashisht, Sunil Dutt Sehgal, Raghunath Singh Rana and Vinod Mittu were among those present during the programmes.

The rallies formed part of the BJP’s ongoing campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Punjab, with party leaders using the platform to highlight the issue and outline their stated approach to combating it.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH