Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Monday declared that Punjab's deteriorating law and order situation — marked by rising gangster activity, a deepening drug crisis, and the migration of youth out of the state — has become a matter of serious concern not just for Punjab but for the entire nation. Nabin made the remarks while addressing a gathering of state office-bearers, current and former Members of Parliament, MLAs, and district presidents in Ludhiana.

Parallels with West Bengal

Drawing a pointed comparison, Nabin likened Punjab's current situation to West Bengal, where he said a 'government plus goonda culture' had become a major problem for ordinary citizens. In Punjab, he argued, a 'government plus corporate' culture has taken root, allegedly forcing residents to pay money to get legitimate government work done. He said both states represent examples of governance failures that the BJP must confront directly.

The Drug and Gangster Crisis

Nabin stressed that the drug network spreading across Punjab requires an urgent, coordinated political response. He called on the party to soon launch a major statewide campaign targeting the drug menace. The BJP chief also flagged the rise of gangsterism and the outward migration of Punjab's youth as compounding crises that undermine the state's social and economic fabric. He argued that without a 'double-engine' government — meaning aligned state and central administrations under the BJP — political and industrial revival in Punjab would remain out of reach.

Organisational Push Ahead of Assembly Elections

Nabin expressed satisfaction that the Punjab BJP is gearing up to contest all 117 Assembly seats in the upcoming state elections. He emphasised that strengthening the party organisation is a collective responsibility of all leaders — not just the state president or the general secretary. He specifically urged party leaders to deepen coordination with booth-level workers, describing them as decisive in mobilising voters at polling stations.

First Punjab Visit as Party Chief

The Ludhiana meeting marked the conclusion of Nabin's three-day visit to Punjab — his first to the state since assuming the role of BJP national president. He underscored that the BJP's true strength lies at the grassroots, with its booth presidents and dedicated workers, rather than at the top of the organisational hierarchy. All leaders present at the meeting reportedly expressed confidence in the national leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to securing a BJP victory in Punjab.

With assembly elections on the horizon, the BJP's Punjab strategy is now clearly centred on law-and-order failures, the drug crisis, and anti-incumbency — a template the party has used effectively in other states.