Fatehgarh Sahib, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched the second leg of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ from Fatehgarh Sahib and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of failing to curb the drug problem. Her remarks were part of a political campaign against the ruling party.
Addressing a gathering before flagging off the yatra, Gupta alleged that the AAP government had repeatedly extended its deadlines for eliminating drugs from Punjab.
“When Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann came to power in Punjab, they promised to eliminate drugs from the state within three months. The deadline was extended, first by three months and then by four months, and has now been extended six times. A government that keeps giving new deadlines cannot be expected to eradicate drugs,” she said.
Gupta said the 13-day yatra would become a campaign against the AAP government in Punjab. She alleged that Arvind Kejriwal had used Delhi’s resources to establish AAP’s political influence in Punjab and was now using Punjab’s resources for political purposes.
She also questioned Kejriwal’s role in Punjab and criticised the AAP leadership over the state’s debt and governance. These were political allegations made by Gupta and were not independently established in the source material.
Before the flag-off, Gupta paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Jyoti Saroop Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib and offered prayers for the well-being of Punjab and its people. Reports confirmed her visit to the historic gurdwara ahead of her participation in the anti-drug campaign.
Gupta said the yatra was intended to mobilise people against drugs, crime and fear in Punjab.
“This yatra is not merely a journey. It is the beginning of a movement to free Punjab from drugs, crime and fear,” she said.
She also accused the Punjab government of failing to maintain law and order and alleged that political setbacks in Delhi had prompted Kejriwal to shift his focus to Punjab.
Calling for a political change in the state, Gupta said, “Enough is enough. The time has come to break the chains that have shackled Punjab. Who will break these chains? You will, we will, Narendra Modi Ji will and Amit Shah Ji will.”
She also referred to the role of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister in dealing with terrorism and other security challenges, saying Punjab was not alone in the fight against drugs.
Kewal Dhillon Calls Yatra a People’s Movement
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the campaign was not merely aimed at political gains but represented a people’s movement against drugs.
He alleged that drugs had not been eliminated during the AAP government’s tenure and criticised the state government’s handling of the issue.
Referring to the cases of Mohanjit Sheron and Gulzar Singh, Dhillon raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the two cases and alleged that the government had failed to protect people affected by the drug crisis.
He said the people of Delhi had rejected AAP and claimed that Punjab could also witness a similar political shift.
Dhillon also alleged attempts to disrupt the yatra, including the display of black flags, tearing of BJP posters and an incident involving eggs being thrown at Ravneet Singh Bittu. The allegations concerning the incidents were made by BJP leaders and have not been treated here as independently established facts. Recent reports have separately documented Bittu’s claims regarding an alleged attack on his convoy.
“You tear down one poster, we will put up 10. But this movement will not retreat,” Dhillon said.
Manpreet Badal Highlights Drug Supply and Rehabilitation
BJP National Vice-President Manpreet Singh Badal said Punjab had a significant role in India’s military history and argued that weakening Punjab would have wider implications for the country.
“How can we sit back and watch someone destroy our youth through drugs right before our eyes?” Badal said.
He outlined three priorities for the BJP: breaking the drug supply chain, ensuring treatment for people affected by addiction and creating safeguards for the next generation.
Ashwani Sharma Targets Bhagwant Mann
Pathankot MLA and former Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma also criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the drug issue.
“Can anyone expect a person who cannot give up alcohol even after swearing on his mother to control drugs? He came to the Assembly after consuming alcohol. Mann cannot stop drugs. The people of Punjab themselves will have to come forward to stop drugs,” Sharma said.
The BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ is being conducted through four routes across the state. The Fatehgarh Sahib leg was scheduled for September 19, with Gupta flagging it off before it proceeds towards Jalandhar.
Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna, Geja Ram Valmiki and Didar Singh Bhatti, among others, also addressed the gathering.
Those present included yatra in-charge Rajesh Bagha, BJP general secretaries Parminder Singh Brar and Manjit Singh Rai, and several other party leaders and workers.
FOLLOW NOW
