Former Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday, 29 October wrote to the Punjab Governor, urging immediate implementation of the Code of Conduct in the state, citing what he described as a collapsing law and order situation and an uncontrolled drug menace under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Jakhar alleged that AAP leaders had shielded criminals, accepted bribes, and allowed accused persons to evade justice, charges the state government has not yet formally responded to.

Key Allegations Against the AAP Government

Jakhar alleged that criminals serving long prison sentences had been helped to secure parole and subsequently escape custody. More seriously, he claimed that individuals accused of rape had allegedly been assisted in fleeing India in exchange for a bribe of ₹5 crore. He further alleged that the matter had surfaced before the High Court and that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's name had been linked to the ₹5 crore case — an allegation that has not been independently verified and which the chief minister's office has not publicly addressed.

'Taking all these issues into account, I am writing to the Governor today, urging him to ensure that the Code of Conduct is implemented in Punjab as soon as possible. Every passing day is proving costly for Punjab,' Jakhar said.

Drug Crisis at the Centre of BJP's Charge

The BJP leader pointed to specific incidents to underscore what he described as a deepening drug crisis in Punjab. He cited the deaths of a father and his teenage son in Jalalabad, attributed to drug overdoses, as well as the death of 35-year-old Daljit Singh in Bhamme Kalan village, also reportedly due to a drug overdose. Jakhar accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of denying the scale of the crisis.

'Think about it: a complete family wiped out due to addiction, and Bhagwant Mann says that there is no addiction problem in Punjab,' Jakhar said, calling the chief minister's position untenable in light of the reported fatalities.

Delegation to Election Commission Planned

Beyond the Governor's letter, Jakhar announced that the Punjab BJP was planning to send a delegation to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to seek its intervention, arguing that prevailing conditions warranted the imposition of the Code of Conduct without delay. He also noted that law and order had deteriorated to a point where even organising sporting events in the state had become difficult.

Legal Action Threatened Against Sisodia and Kejriwal

Jakhar said he would also explore legal options against AAP leader Manish Sisodia over Sisodia's use of the phrase 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' while addressing party workers in 2025. The expression broadly refers to a set of strategies — persuasion, inducement, punishment, and division — used to achieve a political objective. Jakhar said he would approach the court and seek to bar Sisodia and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal from entering Punjab, alleging they were spreading misinformation and making statements capable of promoting hatred.

What Happens Next

The Governor's response to Jakhar's letter and any subsequent directive on the Code of Conduct are being closely watched. The BJP's planned delegation to the Election Commission could further raise the political temperature in Punjab ahead of any electoral activity in the state. As affected families and opposition pressure mount, the AAP government faces growing scrutiny over its handling of both the drug crisis and law enforcement.