Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media incharge Baltej Pannu, in a letter written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Punjab, has made a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that before doing politics on the drug problem in Punjab, they should explain what they are doing. BJP should give account of its previous tenure in Punjab. He said that it is very unfortunate to do politics over a tragic incident like the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota. Keeping in mind the demand of the victim's family, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has decided to hand over the investigation of the case to CBI, so that concrete steps can be taken towards providing justice to the family.
'War against drugs' campaign and claims of ground action
In the press conference on Tuesday, Baltej Pannu said that the fight against drugs is not the fight of any political party, but of the entire society. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has launched the 'War Against Drugs' campaign in a planned manner to eliminate the drug network. Police, civil administration and village defense committees and ward defense committees with about one lakh members are playing an important role in this campaign. He said that the Punjab government is not just making statements against drugs, but is taking action at the ground level.
Centre's role on border smuggling, anti-drone system and medical drugs
The AAP leader said that holding Punjab alone responsible for the drug problem shows the political thinking of the BJP. The problem of drugs has taken a serious form in many states of the country. Being a border state, Punjab is also facing the challenge of smuggling from across the border. To deal with smuggling through drones, the state government has installed anti-drone systems. At the same time, the role of the central government is also important in the problem of medical drugs. The Punjab government has written letters to the Center several times to bring the drugs related to it under the ambit of the NDPS Act, but no necessary action has been taken on them.
Questions on Akali-BJP rule and ED investigation
Baltej Pannu asked BJP that when the drug problem became serious in Punjab, where was BJP? He said that the Akali-BJP government was in power from 2007 to 2017 and during this period the Chitta crisis had become serious in Punjab. Even today questions are raised regarding the investigation of the alleged drug racket worth Rs 6,000 crore and the action taken against the people associated with it. He asked what happened to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation, why the investigating officers were changed and what efforts were made to bring the alleged accused sitting abroad to India? BJP should answer these questions and not target the current government just to shirk its political responsibilities.
Targeting Congress regime and former leaders
AAP media in-charge also targeted the former Congress leaders who joined Congress and BJP and said why no concrete action was taken against drugs during the tenure of Congress government between 2017 to 2022? Captain Amarinder Singh had promised to eliminate drugs, but the people of Punjab did not get the full results of those promises. He questioned all those leaders including BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Manpreet Singh Badal as to how strongly they had raised their voice on the issue of drugs at that time. Today, the leaders who talk big on drugs should also keep the records of their previous tenure in front of the public.
Questions on Raja Vading's comments and responsibility of traditional parties
Baltej Pannu also questioned Congress leader Raja Vading's comment about opening opium shops and said that there is a need to make Punjab drug free and not to promote the idea of normalizing drugs. He said that an entire generation of Punjab has been affected by the drug problem and hence the traditional political parties which have been in power for decades should accept their responsibility. The Aam Aadmi Party government is fighting a decisive battle against drugs, while some political parties are using this serious issue for their political gains.
Welcome of Amit Shah's visit and demand for concrete cooperation
Welcoming Amit Shah's visit to Punjab, Baltej Pannu said that the Union Home Minister should also give a clear answer on the sensitive borders of Punjab, cross-border smuggling and supply of medical medicines. Punjab, besides being the country's food provider, also makes an important contribution to national security. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the Central Government to provide full support to Punjab in the fight against drugs. Just coming to Punjab and giving speeches will not solve the problem, hence concrete action and Centre-State cooperation is necessary.
Questions on families of BJP workers who lost their lives in anti-drug march
He also asked Amit Shah what the BJP did for the families of BJP Yuva Morcha officials Arshdeep Singh and Vinod Kali, who lost their lives in an accident during the last anti-drug march. Did senior BJP leaders meet their families and share their grief and take any concrete steps to provide them necessary help? Baltej Pannu said that if BJP is really serious about drugs, then it should also answer these questions. Being responsible towards those who lost their lives and their families in the fight against drugs is as important as giving speeches from platforms.
AAP government's commitment in the fight against drugs
Baltej Pannu made it clear that the Aam Aadmi Party government stands with everyone fighting against drugs. Accepting the demand of CBI investigation of Parvinder Singh Jhota's family shows the sensitivity of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann government. He said that it is not right to use someone's death as a weapon for political gains. The fight against drugs will have to be carried forward rising above party politics. The Punjab government is committed to eliminate the entire drug network and secure the future of the young generation of the state.