Is Punjab’s Anti-Drug Campaign Just Another Publicity Stunt?

Chandigarh, July 1 (NationPress) The anti-drug initiative launched by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is merely a publicity stunt, similar to his claims regarding anti-corruption, according to BJP leader and state media head Vineet Joshi. On Tuesday, Joshi asserted that the campaign is designed to mislead the people of Punjab.

To support his assertion, Joshi referenced remarks made by CM Mann shortly after his government took office on May 24, 2022, when he professed to have gathered evidence against his minister, Vijay Singla, who allegedly confessed to corruption. Following this, CM Mann accepted Singla's resignation and facilitated his arrest by the Vigilance Bureau.

However, the Vigilance Bureau has since submitted a closure report to a Mohali court, declaring that neither Singla nor his officer on special duty, Pradeep Kumar, confessed to any wrongdoing.

Joshi raised concerns about the Vigilance Bureau's ability to exonerate Singla if he had indeed admitted guilt.

“This indicates that Bhagwant Mann has deceived and misled the people of Punjab. Likewise, through the anti-drug initiative, the public is being subjected to false assurances,” he remarked.

He questioned why CM Mann has not acted against AAP leaders and MLAs publicly accused of being involved in the drug trade in districts such as Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Mohali.

Highlighting Mann's inconsistency, Joshi noted that AAP MLA Ajay Gupta has openly stated that “drugs are being sold openly, and some senior AAP leaders are implicated.”

Moreover, expelled legislator Kunwar Vijay Pratap accused two police officers, allegedly linked to Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, of collusion in the drug business.

“Why is Mann reluctant to investigate these claims made by his own party members?”

On June 16, state BJP President Sunil Jakhar urged Mann to petition the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a timely investigation, either through a credible agency or a multi-agency probe under judicial oversight, to reveal the influential individuals benefiting from drug profits.

“Why has Mann failed to respond to this letter or reach out to the Chief Justice?” he inquired.

Joshi concluded, stating, “The AAP government is focused on shielding its leaders rather than taking decisive action against drug issues. If the government is sincere, it needs to act promptly in these matters. The future of Punjab's youth is at risk, and the AAP's inaction is exacerbating the crisis.”