Chandigarh, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha Chief Spokesperson Baltej Pannu on Thursday criticised the BJP’s proposed ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, questioning the party’s record on the drug issue during its participation in the Punjab government from 2007 to 2017.
Pannu described the BJP campaign as “political nautanki” and asked why the party had not undertaken a similar statewide campaign when it was part of the state government during the period when, according to his claim, the use of ‘chitta’ expanded in Punjab.
The BJP has announced anti-drug yatras across Punjab beginning September 18, with the campaign planned to cover all 117 Assembly constituencies. The move comes amid an ongoing political debate over the drug problem in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said, “Every effort against drugs is welcome, but the BJP must first answer for its own record. The BJP was a partner in the Punjab Government from 2007 to 2017, precisely during the period when the menace of ‘chitta’ emerged and spread across Punjab. Today, the same BJP is undertaking a ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’. Why did the BJP not undertake any yatra, campaign or sustained pressure against drugs when it was itself in the government?”
Pannu also raised questions about the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into the drug network, referring to the role of former ED officer Niranjan Singh.
“During the 2007-17 period, reports emerged about drugs being transported in vehicles associated with the government. An Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the drug network was initiated by officer Niranjan Singh,” he said.
He further asked why the investigation did not reach what he described as its logical conclusion when names were emerging in the probe and why Niranjan Singh was transferred. Pannu also pointed out that the BJP was in power at the Centre between 2014 and 2017 and sought an explanation for the outcome of the investigation.
Pannu said the drug crisis had a serious impact on Punjab during that period, including reported overdose deaths, and referred to the opening of de-addiction facilities for women during the Akali-BJP government.
He also questioned what he called the BJP’s selective focus on Punjab, citing recent data from the Centre identifying 73 districts across India as “ultra-sensitive” drug zones.
According to data released by the Centre, six Punjab districts — Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Ludhiana — are among the 73 ultra-sensitive districts identified nationwide.
“The BJP is now selectively highlighting Punjab while remaining silent about drug-affected districts in BJP-ruled states. The recent NCB report mentions 73 ultra-sensitive districts, of which six are in Punjab. Several other districts mentioned in the report are located in other states, but the BJP continues to focus its political narrative only on Punjab. Why this selective approach?” Pannu said.
He argued that the drug issue should be addressed as a national concern rather than being used to target Punjab politically.
Pannu also pointed to the border location of five of the six Punjab districts classified as ultra-sensitive and questioned the Centre’s measures to prevent cross-border trafficking. The Centre has said its anti-narcotics roadmap includes strengthening surveillance and anti-drone capabilities along international borders.
“If the BJP is genuinely concerned about drugs, it should address the entire national drug problem instead of using the issue to defame Punjab. Why is the BJP silent about the drug situation in states where it is in power? Why is Punjab being selectively targeted?” he said.
Pannu said the AAP government, after coming to power in 2022, launched the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign and claimed that Punjab Police had continued action against drug networks while the state government was coordinating with the BSF to address cross-border smuggling.
He also highlighted the government’s sports infrastructure initiatives as part of its effort to provide young people alternatives to substance abuse.
Pannu said more than 25,000 young people had participated in a recent youth run in Bathinda, which he cited as evidence of growing participation in sporting activities.
He further pointed to the state government’s programme to develop 3,100 rural sports grounds. Recent government initiatives have seen hundreds of such grounds dedicated to the public, with reports putting the number at more than 700 by August.
“The real change in Punjab is also visible in the way its youth are increasingly turning towards sports. More than 25,000 young people participated in the recent youth run in Bathinda. The response to these events is growing and the upcoming events are expected to attract even larger participation,” Pannu said.
He said the sports grounds were intended to provide children and young people with facilities close to their homes and encourage participation in organised sports.
“The BJP repeatedly tries to portray Punjab as a ‘state of drug addicts’, but Punjab’s sporting achievements directly challenge this narrative. Punjab is a state of sporting talent. Children are playing in village grounds, young people are participating in runs and athletes from Punjab are representing the country at the highest level,” he said.
Pannu also cited Punjab’s representation in Indian hockey and cricket teams while arguing that the state’s sporting achievements demonstrate the potential of its youth.
“Punjab welcomes every genuine effort against drugs, but the BJP must stop using the issue to politically target and defame Punjab. The Mann Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign will continue until the drug menace is eliminated and Punjab is restored as a vibrant, progressive and sporting state,” he said.
The BJP’s anti-drug campaign is set to begin amid preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, making the issue of drug abuse a prominent point of political contestation in the state.
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