Archive · 18 Sep 2026
AAP Challenges BJP’s Anti-Drug Campaign Over Punjab Record
Baltej Pannu of the Aam Aadmi Party criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s anti-drug campaign in Punjab.
He asked why the BJP did not run a long campaign against drugs when it shared power in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
He also questioned what the central government and border forces were doing to stop drugs coming across the international border.
Pannu said an earlier drug investigation was slowed when important names were emerging.
The article does not include responses from the BJP, Enforcement Directorate or Border Security Force.
Pannu said the Punjab government began a campaign against drugs after taking office in 2022.
He described police action, treatment and rehabilitation as parts of the response.
He also said sports programs could give young people positive activities and help challenge negative views of Punjab.
AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu questioned the BJP’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra and its record in Punjab’s government from 2007 to 2017.
Pannu alleged that an Enforcement Directorate drug-network investigation stalled when names began emerging and officer Niranjan Singh was transferred.
He asked what the Centre and Border Security Force were doing to stop cross-border drug smuggling into Punjab.
Pannu said the Bhagwant Singh Mann government launched the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign in 2022 and was pursuing enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation.
He cited more than 25,000 participants in a Bathinda youth run and claimed the state had built 3,100 sports grounds, with about 750 opened to the public.
- Who
- Baltej Pannu, the Aam Aadmi Party Punjab media in-charge and chief spokesperson of the Nasha Mukti Morcha, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- What
- Pannu questioned the BJP’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, its record on drugs, and enforcement against cross-border trafficking.
- When
- The comments were made during a press conference; the supplied article gives no date.
- Where
- The discussion concerned Punjab, including border districts and Bathinda.
- Why
- Pannu said political campaigns should be matched by accountability and concrete action to prevent drug smuggling and support prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
- Speaker
- Baltej Pannu, Aam Aadmi Party Punjab media in-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha chief spokesperson
- BJP government participation
- Pannu questioned the BJP’s record during its participation in the Punjab government from 2007 to 2017
- State campaign
- Pannu said the Bhagwant Singh Mann government launched Yudh Nashean Virudh after coming to power in 2022
- Sports participation
- More than 25,000 young people reportedly participated in a recent youth run in Bathinda
- Sports grounds
- Pannu said 3,100 sports grounds had been built, with around 750 dedicated to the public
- Unanswered allegations
- The supplied statement includes no responses from the BJP, Enforcement Directorate or Border Security Force