AAP's anti-drug campaign is a series of missed deadlines: Cong
Ludhiana: Senior Congress leaders slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann for failing to eliminate the drug menace in Punjab.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress leaders said that CM Mann had changed the deadline for making Punjab drug-free at least four times, but failed.
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Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi accused AAP of distributing alcohol, drugs, and money to win the Ludhiana West bypoll.
Senior Congress leaders, including MLA from Kapurthala, Rana Gurjeet Singh, former minister Pargat Singh, Sunder Sham Arora, and former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, were in the city to attend the induction of an AAP leader in the Congress.
Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh said, "In the year 2022, when AAP formed government in Punjab, both CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal assured that they would make Punjab drug-free.
Then, on August 15, 2023, during the Independence Day function, CM Mann announced that he would make Punjab drug-free within one year. In April 2024, he again stated that Punjab would be drug-free by the end of December, 2024.
"
He added, that in October, 2023, the government took children to the Golden Temple to pray for a drug-free state. On February 28, CM Mann directed Punjab Police to eliminate the drug menace in three months.
He also promised to open de-addiction centres in villages and form committees.
"He must reveal what his government has done on the ground, apart from making false promises and giving 'tareekh pe tareekh' on the aim of making Punjab a drug-free state," Rana Gurjeet said.
Accusing CM Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of using campaigns for publicity, former CM Channi said, "While the 'Yudh Nasheya Virudh' programme was on, at least 27 individuals lost their lives to spurious liquor.
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In another incident, three Ludhiana residents also died after consuming spurious liquor. Why don't CM Mann and the finance minister take responsibility for these deaths? While being in the opposition, Mann would always hold the CM responsible for each tragedy.
Now, he must take responsibility for deaths of the people."
Channi alleged that the ruling government was distributing drugs, liquor and money in Ludhiana West.
"In fact, AAP's own MLA from Amritsar, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, has been saying that senior police officials are involved in running a drug nexus in Punjab. Why does Mann not listen to their own MLA? Even the demolition drive is an eyewash because the houses that are being demolished are illegally constructed; however, the authorities call it an action against drug peddlers," he said.
The former CM asserted that drugs were being openly sold in Punjab and asked anyone who wanted to check to visit him.
"I will show how drugs can be delivered just with a call," he maintained.
Congress's Allegations:
Missed Deadlines: CM Bhagwant Mann allegedly shifted the deadline for making Punjab drug-free multiple times—initially in 2022, then August 2023, April 2024, and again in February 2025.
Lack of action: Congress leaders claim that despite promises, there has been little tangible progress, and the government has relied on symbolic gestures like prayers at the Golden Temple.
Deaths from spurious liquor: At least 30 deaths were cited during the anti-drug campaign, raising questions about the effectiveness and sincerity of the efforts.
Internal criticism: Even AAP's own MLA, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, has reportedly spoken out about police involvement in drug networks.
Election malpractice allegations: Former CM Channi accused AAP of distributing drugs, liquor, and money during the Ludhiana West bypoll.
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