BJP Must Account for Its Decade in Power Before Drug Menace in Punjab: Baltej Pannu

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state, demanding accountability for Punjab’s drug crisis and stronger action against cross-border smuggling and pharmaceutical drug supplies.

Pannu said the drug problem had intensified during the 2007–2017 Akali-BJP government and accused the BJP of using the issue for political gains rather than addressing its own record. He also said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided to transfer the investigation into Parvinder Singh Jhota’s murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following a request from the victim’s family.

How Is the Bhagwant Mann Government Tackling Drug Networks?

Addressing a press conference, Pannu said the fight against drugs required collective action from society rather than being treated as the responsibility of any single political party.

He said the Mann government had launched the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign to dismantle drug networks at their roots. According to Pannu, the police, civil administration, Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees, comprising nearly one lakh members, were contributing to the campaign.

He maintained that the state government was pursuing action on the ground rather than limiting its efforts to public statements and political promises.

Is the Centre Providing Enough Support to Stop Drug Smuggling?

Pannu accused the BJP of unfairly blaming Punjab for the drug problem, arguing that several states faced similar challenges and that Punjab’s international border made the situation more complex.

He said the state government had installed anti-drone systems to counter smuggling through drones but maintained that the Centre also needed to fulfil its responsibilities in tackling cross-border trafficking.

The AAP leader further said Punjab had repeatedly approached the Central Government to bring certain medicines under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He alleged that the requests had not resulted in the necessary action.

Welcoming Amit Shah’s visit, Pannu urged the Union Home Minister to provide clear answers on border security, cross-border smuggling and the supply of pharmaceutical drugs. He said Punjab needed concrete measures and effective coordination between the Centre and the state, rather than political speeches.

What Does the BJP’s Record During the Akali-BJP Government Show?

Questioning the BJP’s criticism of the current state government, Pannu referred to the Akali-BJP alliance’s decade in power from 2007 to 2017.

He asked why the BJP had failed to prevent the spread of the drug problem during that period, particularly as the state faced a severe crisis involving the substance commonly known as chitta.

Pannu said the BJP should explain its record from that period instead of holding the current government solely responsible for the situation.

Why Is AAP Questioning Congress and BJP Leaders Over Past Drug Cases?

Pannu raised questions about the investigation into an alleged ₹6,000-crore drug racket, asking why the investigating officer had been transferred and what steps had been taken to bring individuals linked to the case who were living abroad back to India.

He said the BJP should address these questions rather than use the drug issue to target political opponents.

The AAP media in-charge also criticised Congress and former Congress leaders who later joined the BJP. Referring to former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s promise to eliminate drugs, Pannu questioned why decisive action had not been taken during the Congress government’s 2017–2022 tenure.

He also challenged BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Manpreet Singh Badal, along with other political figures, to explain their efforts against drugs during their respective political tenures.

Pannu argued that leaders making strong claims about tackling the drug menace should also be prepared to answer questions about their past performance.

Can Punjab Fight Drugs Without Normalising Their Use?

Pannu criticised Congress leader Raja Warring’s reported remarks about opening licensed opium outlets, arguing that Punjab needed to eliminate drug dependence rather than normalise substance use.

He said an entire generation had suffered because of the drug problem and accused parties that had governed the state for decades of exploiting the issue for political advantage.

Pannu called for a consistent approach focused on dismantling drug networks and protecting young people from the consequences of substance abuse.

Has the BJP Done Enough for Families Affected by Anti-Drug Campaigns?

Pannu also questioned the BJP’s response to the families of Arshdeep Singh and Vinod Kali, office-bearers of the BJP Yuva Morcha who reportedly died in an accident during an earlier anti-drug march.

He asked whether senior BJP leaders had met the families to offer condolences and whether concrete steps had been taken to provide them with assistance.

Pannu said political parties needed to demonstrate their commitment through meaningful support for affected families, rather than limiting their responses to public statements.

Why Has the Punjab Government Decided to Transfer the Jhota Case to the CBI?

Reiterating the state government’s position on the Parvinder Singh Jhota case, Pannu said Mann had decided to transfer the investigation to the CBI in response to the family’s demand.

He described the decision as a reflection of the government’s sensitivity towards the family and said a person’s death should not be used as a political weapon.

Pannu maintained that the campaign against drugs must rise above party politics, adding that the Mann government remained committed to dismantling drug networks and protecting Punjab’s younger generation.

He urged the Centre to cooperate fully with the state government, stressing that tackling the crisis required stronger enforcement, action against supply chains and sustained coordination between government agencies.