Punjab Politics: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media incharge and chief spokesperson of Nasha Mukti Morcha, Baltej Pannu on Thursday launched a scathing attack on BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukti Punjab Yatra’ and termed it a political gimmick. He questioned the party’s silence during 2007-17, when ‘Chitta’ emerged as the ruling partner of the BJP in Punjab and spread across the state.
Pannu questioned why the BJP failed to run any anti-drug campaign when names were coming up in the investigation and officer Niranjan Singh was transferred, why the ED investigation was stopped, why the BJP is now selectively targeting Punjab by remaining silent on the drug-affected states including its neighboring state Haryana.
3,100 playgrounds built across the state
AAP Punjab Media Incharge said that all the sensitive districts of Punjab are under border districts of BSF and instead of using this issue to defame Punjab, BJP should make it clear what it is doing to stop the entry of drugs in the state. Pannu said the ground reality is visible in the growing sports culture of Punjab, where more than 25,000 youth participated in the Bathinda Run and 3,100 playgrounds have been built across the state, of which about 750 have already been dedicated to the public.
Partner in Punjab Government from 2007-17
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab media in-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha chief spokesperson Baltej Pannu said, “Every effort against drugs is welcome, but the BJP should first answer for its record. The BJP was a partner in the Punjab government from 2007 to 2017, this was the time when the ‘chitta’ crisis emerged and spread in Punjab. Today the same BJP is taking out ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’. When the BJP itself was in the government, it Why was there no yatra, campaign or sustained pressure against drugs?
drug smuggling from across the border
He said, “The sensitive districts of Punjab that are being highlighted in this matter are all border districts. These districts come under the BSF, which is directly under the Central Government. The BJP should answer what it is doing to stop the entry of drugs into Punjab from across the border. Instead of talking politics, why does the BJP not tell what steps the Central Government and the BSF are taking to stop drug smuggling from across the border?
Punjab also installed its own anti-drone system
Baltej Pannu said, “After coming to power in 2022, the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a systematic ‘War on Drugs’. Punjab Police is continuously taking action against drug networks and is working closely with the Punjab Government, especially BSF, to stop cross-border drug smuggling. Punjab has also deployed its anti-drone system and is continuously taking action against drug networks.
Political campaign, concrete action against drugs
Media in-charge of AAP Punjab said, “The Bhagwant Mann government is fighting the drug problem at the grassroots level. The BJP should compare this sustained action with the developments that took place between 2007 and 2017, when it itself was a partner in the Punjab government. Political campaigns cannot be a substitute for concrete action against drugs.
More than 25,000 youth took part
He said, “The real change in Punjab is also visible from the fact that the youth here are turning to sports in large numbers. More than 25,000 youth took part in the recent Youth Run in Bathinda. The response to these events is increasing and more people are expected to participate in the upcoming events.
Opportunities for multiple generations to participate in sports
Baltej Pannu said, “The Bhagwant Mann government has built 3,100 playgrounds, of which about 750 have already been dedicated to the people. These playgrounds are providing opportunities to children, youth and cross-generations to participate in sports. Children and youth can be seen playing in playgrounds every evening in villages and cities across Punjab.
Punjab is a state with sports talent
He said, “BJP repeatedly tries to portray Punjab as a ‘state of drug addicts’, but Punjab’s sports achievements directly challenge this narrative. Punjab is a state with sports talent. Children are playing in village playgrounds, youth are participating in races and Punjab’s athletes are representing the country at the highest level.”
Sports power and talent of Punjab’s youth
Media in-charge of AAP Punjab said, “The Indian hockey team has nine players from Punjab, including players from the same border districts that are repeatedly highlighted in negative narratives about drugs. Punjab is also represented in the Indian national cricket teams. These achievements show the sporting prowess and talent of Punjab’s youth.
Political campaign started against drugs
He said, “The people of Punjab have already rejected the stigma attached to the state and are moving towards sports and a healthy future. Before launching a political campaign against drugs today, the BJP should answer what it did between 2007 and 2017, when it was a partner in the government.
‘War against drugs’ campaign will continue
Baltej Pannu said, “Punjab welcomes every genuine effort against drugs, but BJP should stop using this issue to politically target and defame Punjab. The Mann government’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign will continue until the drug problem is eradicated and Punjab becomes a prosperous, progressive and sporting state.