Chandigarh, October 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday criticised the BJP during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab, demanding that the party account for its role in the drug crisis that intensified during the 2007-2017 Akali-BJP government. He said the politicisation of the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota was unfortunate and noted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the victim’s family’s demand.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said the fight against drugs required collective efforts rather than political point-scoring. He highlighted the Punjab government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, saying the police, civil administration, Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees, comprising nearly one lakh members, were working to dismantle drug networks.
Pannu said Punjab’s international border made the drug problem more complex and called on the Centre to strengthen efforts against cross-border smuggling, including the use of drones. He said the state government had installed anti-drone systems but maintained that the Centre must also act decisively.
He further alleged that repeated requests by the Punjab government to bring certain pharmaceutical medicines under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act had not received the necessary response.
Questioning the BJP’s record during the decade of Akali-BJP rule, Pannu asked what action had been taken in connection with the alleged ₹6,000-crore drug racket. He also questioned why the investigating officer had been transferred and what efforts had been made to bring people linked to the case who were living abroad back to India.
Targeting the Congress as well, Pannu questioned the record of the 2017-2022 government led by Captain Amarinder Singh, who had promised to eliminate drugs. He also challenged BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Manpreet Singh Badal, along with other former Congress leaders who joined the BJP, to explain their stand and actions on the issue during that period.
Responding to Congress leader Raja Warring’s remarks about opening licensed opium outlets, Pannu said Punjab needed to be freed from drugs rather than move towards normalising their use. He stressed that political parties that had governed the state for decades must acknowledge their responsibility.
Welcoming Shah’s visit, Pannu said the Union Home Minister should provide clear answers on border security, cross-border smuggling and pharmaceutical drugs. He emphasised that Punjab’s contribution to national food security and defence warranted full support from the Centre.
“The problem will not be solved merely by visiting Punjab and delivering speeches. We need concrete action and effective Centre-state cooperation,” he said.
Pannu also questioned whether senior BJP leaders had met the families of Arshdeep Singh and Vinod Kali, office-bearers of the BJP Yuva Morcha who died in an accident during an earlier anti-drug march. He sought clarity on whether the families had received condolences and assistance.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to tackling drugs, Pannu said the decision to transfer the Parvinder Singh Jhota case to the CBI at the family’s request reflected the government’s sensitivity. He urged all political parties to keep the fight against drugs above partisan interests and work together to protect Punjab’s younger generation.
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