Chandigarh, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Punjab Congress has alleged that Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is seemingly attempting to assist the Shiromani Akali Dal and its leader Sukhbir Singh Badal in reviving their political fortunes for a potential alliance with the BJP. This assertion follows the recent "march against drugs". The Congress party questioned whether this initiative was merely a guise to operate the ‘Samjhuata Express.

AAP legislator Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal joined the discourse, criticizing the march, where Badal and BJP leader Ashwani Sharma were seen together, arguing that it could not genuinely aim at drug eradication.

“Such a spectacle does not inspire confidence; indeed, it seems more like a cover for shielding criminals rather than confronting the issue,” he stated.

In response to Badal's participation in the Governor's drug awareness march in Ferozepur, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring posed a question on ‘X’, inquiring if the march was truly a campaign against drugs or simply a preliminary move to facilitate an Akali-BJP alliance.

“Before leading this march, did you discuss the situation with the Union Home Ministry, which oversees border security?” he questioned the Governor, highlighting that the BSF jurisdiction now extends 50 km into border areas.

Warring emphasized that while the AAP government has already faced failures, he wondered what actions the Central government is taking to combat drug smuggling from across the border.

“I urge you to consult the Union Home Ministry before organizing the ‘Samjhauta Express’ for an Akali-BJP alliance under the guise of an anti-drug march,” he remarked, referencing images of the Governor and Badal together.

“The photos from the march carry an unmistakable message that cannot be ignored,” he added.

Questioning the legitimacy of the Governor's anti-drug campaign, AAP chief spokesperson Dhaliwal asserted that while the state government has continuously fought against drugs, the Governor's alternative yatra sends a deeply concerning message regarding his associations.

Dhaliwal informed the media that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, the state has been actively conducting anti-drug yatras across Punjab.

“These yatras are substantive and part of a resolute battle against drugs. However, due to our government’s success, the Governor has initiated his own yatra, raising serious questions about its purpose and participants,” he stated.

While leading an anti-drug awareness walk in Ferozepur, Governor Kataria emphasized that combating drug abuse is a collective societal obligation.

He remarked that drug addiction not only devastates individuals but also inflicts severe harm on society, urging that only combined and sustained efforts can eradicate this social menace at its roots.