Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Shiv Sena(UBT) Calls Maharashtra Drug-Free Pledge Hypocritical and Event-Driven
Maharashtra’s government says it wants to make the state free of drugs by 2029.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) says this promise is not believable.
The party claims drug businesses have continued while the BJP has been in power.
It also accuses some political leaders of protecting people involved in illegal drugs and alcohol production.
The party pointed to earlier drug-factory investigations in Nashik, Pune, and Satara.
It questioned whether alcohol would be included in the government’s definition of harmful substances.
The editorial also mentioned drug seizures at a Gujarat port.
It said people should judge the government when 2029 arrives.
Maharashtra’s government has pledged to make the state drug-free by 2029.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) called the initiative hypocritical and publicity-driven.
The party questioned why drug networks allegedly flourished while the BJP held power.
Its Saamana editorial accused political leaders of protecting traffickers and liquor manufacturers.
The editorial urged voters to hold the leadership accountable when the 2029 deadline arrives.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
- What
- The government pledged to make Maharashtra drug-free by 2029, while Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) criticized the pledge.
- When
- The criticism was published on Thursday; the government’s target is 2029.
- Where
- Maharashtra, with references to drug seizures at a Gujarat port and alleged trafficking routes into the state.
- Why
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) says the pledge is hypocritical because narcotics networks allegedly continue operating despite the BJP’s long tenure in power.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’s Criticism
Maharashtra Government’s Initiative
Credibility of the 2029 pledge
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’s Criticism
The party called the drug-free goal hypocritical and publicity-focused, arguing that drug networks have continued during the BJP’s time in power.
Maharashtra Government’s Initiative
The Maharashtra government has announced 2029 as its target for making the state drug-free.
Political protection allegations
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’s Criticism
The editorial alleged that traffickers, liquor manufacturers, and contraband suppliers operate with political patronage and accused the Home Department of suppressing investigations.
Maharashtra Government’s Initiative
The government’s stated initiative presents the administration as seeking to curb drug activity, but the article does not provide a detailed official response to the allegations.
Definition of intoxication
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’s Criticism
The party questioned whether the campaign would address alcohol production and alleged that liquor interests linked to political leaders could be excluded.
Maharashtra Government’s Initiative
The article does not specify whether the government’s drug-free plan includes alcohol or how it defines intoxication.
- Government target
- Maharashtra is pledged to become drug-free by 2029.
- Critic
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) made the criticism in an editorial.
- Publication
- The editorial appeared in Saamana, the party’s mouthpiece.
- Political criticism
- The party described the initiative as hypocritical and event-driven.
- Locations cited
- Past illicit manufacturing-unit busts were cited in Nashik, Pune, and Satara.
- Substances mentioned
- The editorial referred to charas, ganja, brown sugar, alcohol, and other intoxicants.
- Accountability demand
- The party urged citizens to assess the leadership when the 2029 deadline expires.