Chandigarh, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Monday hit back at Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar over his remarks on the drug menace, saying his 45-minute speeches could not erase the records of the Congress and BJP. He demanded answers from Jakhar about the previous Congress government’s handling of drug-related controversies and challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to explain the unfulfilled promises made to Punjab ahead of his proposed rally in Sangrur.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu questioned Jakhar’s record during his tenure as Punjab Congress president under former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. He asked why Jakhar had not publicly raised similar questions about the issues he was highlighting now.
“Sunil Jakhar can speak for 45 minutes at a time, but Punjab wants answers, not lectures. When he was Congress President and Captain Amarinder Singh was Chief Minister, where were his press conferences on the issues he is raising today? Let him show Punjab even one press conference in which he demanded accountability over these controversies,” Pannu said.
Referring to the 2019 murder of Inspector Neha Shori, Pannu said the present government had agreed to the family’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. He challenged Jakhar to disclose whether he had demanded a similar investigation or publicly sought accountability when the case occurred.
Pannu also questioned Jakhar’s response to the controversy surrounding former Punjab Police officer Rajjit Singh, who came under scrutiny in connection with allegations linked to the drug trade.
“Sunil Jakhar should tell Punjab what he did when the allegations surrounding Rajjit Singh came to light. Did he hold a press conference? Did he question the government led by Captain Amarinder Singh? Did he demand accountability? If he did, let him put the record before the public instead of making speeches today,” Pannu said.
Targeting the previous Congress government, Pannu said the party’s promises to eliminate drugs, provide employment and waive farmers’ loans remained important questions for Punjab.
He referred to Captain Amarinder Singh’s pre-election pledge associated with the Sri Gutka Sahib oath, the promise of employment for every household and the distribution of loan-waiver forms and slips among farmers.
“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership must explain what became of these promises,” Pannu said, adding that leaders who did not challenge their own government while in power should not now lecture Punjab on the drug problem.
Pannu also raised questions about controversies surrounding the alleged influence of a foreign woman over police transfers during the previous regime. He asked Jakhar to clarify what he knew about the matter and whether he had publicly questioned the government at the time.
Turning his criticism towards the BJP, Pannu questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s approach to the drug problem and asked why Punjab was being singled out when other states also faced the challenge.
“If Amit Shah is being presented as the answer to Punjab’s drug problem, then what about Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan? Are drugs not a concern in those states? Why is this responsibility being singled out for Punjab? Is the objective to solve the problem everywhere, or simply to keep Punjab under a cloud of stigma?” he asked.
Pannu said Punjab did not need political leaders from Delhi to dictate how it should tackle the drug menace. He highlighted the Bhagwant Mann government’s Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, describing it as a collective effort involving law-enforcement agencies, village defence committees and ordinary citizens.
“The Bhagwant Mann government, law-enforcement agencies, village defence committees and ordinary citizens are working together through the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign,” he said.
“Punjab knows how to fight its own battle. Our people are standing together against drugs, and the government is mobilising communities rather than treating this as a publicity exercise. Our objective is to eradicate the menace and protect the future of our young people,” Pannu added.
Pannu also cited a report in an English-language newspaper about Bihar’s drug problem, saying the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) had reportedly identified Punjab’s community-led approach as one from which lessons could be learned.
According to Pannu, more than one lakh members of Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees are involved in Punjab’s community-based efforts against drugs.
“Bihar is also facing a serious drug problem, yet its DGP has reportedly pointed towards Punjab as an example of how people can be brought together to fight this menace. If a state like Bihar is looking at Punjab’s community mobilisation for lessons, why are some leaders here determined to portray Punjab only in a negative light?” he said.
He maintained that the strength of Yudh Nashean Virudh lay in grassroots participation, collective resistance and the involvement of communities in protecting families and young people.
Pannu Challenges Rahul Gandhi to Answer for Congress’s Record
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s proposed Sangrur rally under the banner Punjab Mangda Jawab, Pannu challenged the Congress leader to address the promises made during the previous Congress government.
“Punjab certainly wants answers, Rahul Gandhi. What happened to the promises made by Captain Amarinder Singh after taking the Gutka Sahib oath? What happened to the promise of jobs for every household? What happened to the loan-waiver commitments and the slips that farmers were given? Punjab has been asking these questions for years,” Pannu said.
He also called for effective coordination between states to address the movement of pharmaceutical drugs into Punjab from neighbouring states, including Himachal Pradesh. He said Rahul Gandhi should explain Congress’s proposed response to the issue and how the party intended to account for the record of its previous governments.
Pannu argued that Congress could not seek political mileage by raising the drug issue while avoiding questions about its own administration and the commitments made to the people of Punjab.
He said people expected Rahul Gandhi to use his proposed Sangrur visit to provide substantive answers rather than repeat political rhetoric.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to Yudh Nashean Virudh, Pannu said the campaign was being strengthened through enforcement, community participation, sports and constructive opportunities for young people.
He said participation in sporting activities could help encourage discipline, confidence and healthier lifestyles, while providing young people with positive alternatives.
Appealing to all sections of society to support the campaign, Pannu said Punjab would continue its efforts against drugs despite political criticism.
“Punjab will not allow its identity to be reduced to the drug menace. Our people are fighting this battle together, our youth are moving towards sports and positive opportunities, and our government is committed to carrying this campaign forward. Those who want to criticise us are welcome to do so, but they must also answer for their own record,” he said.
FOLLOW NOW
