Chandigarh, May 28
Responding to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) baseless countdown campaign on Punjab becoming drug-free, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leader Neel Garg dismissed the BJP’s claims as misleading and politically motivated. He said that the Mann government has launched the most extensive and effective anti-drug campaign in Punjab’s history, ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs).
“The Mann government has achieved unprecedented success in breaking the backbone of drug mafia in Punjab,” said Neel Garg. “Thousands of drug peddlers have been arrested, major smuggling chains dismantled, and properties of drug smugglers demolished under bulldozer action. Simultaneously, addicts have been provided the best care and rehabilitation at OOAT centers.”
AAP Government's Key Achievements Against Drugs
Massive Crackdown on Drug Traffickers: Since the launch of 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', thousands of drug peddlers arrested, and significant drug seizures conducted.
Destruction of Drug Mafia Infrastructure: Properties of drug smugglers bulldozed, sending a strong message of zero tolerance.
Rehabilitation and Recovery: Addicts offered the best treatment at OOAT centers to reintegrate into society.
Community Empowerment: AAP Ministers and MLAs conducting 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' in their constituencies, People pledging against using drugs or helping drug Traffickers, Many villages have declared themselves drug-free.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Neel Garg accused the party of hypocrisy and double standards. “The BJP, along with its then ally SAD, let drugs flow freely in Punjab during their tenure. Drug mafias thrived under their protection, ruining generations of Punjab’s youth. Now, when the AAP government is taking revolutionary action to eradicate drugs, BJP leaders are resorting to arbitrary and baseless statements to mislead the people.”
“The BJP’s countdown campaign is not about accountability; it’s about creating unnecessary political noise to distract from the fact that Punjab is finally on the path to recovery and development under CM Bhagwant Mann’s leadership,” added Neel Garg. “The truth is, BJP doesn’t want drugs to end in Punjab because they don’t want the state to progress.”
Neel Garg further challenged the BJP to present a single credible achievement in curbing drugs during their tenure instead of indulging in theatrics. “Punjab’s youth deserve facts and action, not propaganda.”