Home Minister addresses concluding rally of ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ in Jalandhar

There will be no drug traffickers left after December 31, 2029.

Chandigarh, 30 September (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would make the drug menace a key issue in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. Addressing a public rally in Jalandhar at the conclusion of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, Shah said that if the BJP forms the government in the state, it would work to make Punjab drug-free by December 31, 2029.

The BJP’s four anti-drug yatras had travelled through all 117 Assembly constituencies before culminating in Jalandhar.

Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government, Shah alleged that those who had promoted the liquor and drug trade could not make Punjab free from narcotics. Referring to the Delhi excise policy controversy, he questioned the AAP leadership’s claims on tackling the drug problem in Punjab.

Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to the country, Shah said Punjabi soldiers had always remained at the forefront in defending the nation, while the state’s farmers had played a crucial role in strengthening India’s food security.

The Home Minister also criticised the Punjab government over farmers’ issues. He claimed that AAP had promised Minimum Support Price on 26 crops but had failed to fulfil the commitment. Shah said that if the BJP came to power, it would work towards finding a permanent solution to the problems faced by farmers.

Referring to the impact of drug abuse on Punjab’s youth, Shah said it was painful to see talented youngsters losing their lives to addiction. He appealed to young people to support the BJP and said the party would work to provide better employment opportunities while tackling the drug menace.

Shah further alleged that the Punjab government had not held even one anti-drug meeting during the past three years and had rejected the Centre’s proposal regarding an NCB office in Jalandhar. He also raised concerns over women’s safety and said it would be treated as a priority if the BJP formed the government.

The Union Home Minister also levelled corruption allegations against the AAP government, referring to alleged irregularities related to advertisement allotments in Moga, land matters in Barnala and nutritional supplements meant for children and pregnant women. These allegations were made by Shah during his political address.

Questioning Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over illegal mining, Shah said the government had promised to increase revenue by curbing illegal mining but claimed that mining revenue had instead declined.

He also questioned the state government over what he described as an annual expenditure of ₹785 crore on advertisements, its employment promises and its commitment to establish 16 medical colleges.

Addressing families affected by drug abuse, Shah said the BJP was committed to dismantling the narcotics network in Punjab. He said that after December 31, 2029, those supplying “chitta” to the state’s youth would not be allowed to operate and promised strict action against drug traffickers.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH