Chandigarh, March 1, 2025
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab today launched a scathing attack on the Akali Dal-BJP and Congress regimes for decades of negligence in tackling Punjab’s drug problem and for providing patronage to drug traffickers. Addressing the media, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang, Batala MLA and AAP Punjab Working President Sharry Kalsi, and youth leader Sonia Mann, who recently joined AAP, highlighted the deliberate failures of previous governments and AAP's commitment to a drug-free Punjab.
Malvinder Singh Kang accused the Akali Dal-BJP alliance and Congress governments of playing a pivotal role in allowing the drug menace to spread across Punjab. "The Akali-BJP regime from 2007 onwards institutionalized the drug trade, with several top leaders shielding traffickers. Instead of providing jobs for Punjab's youth, they provided them with drugs, ensuring their destruction," Kang said.
He also called out the Congress party, especially Captain Amarinder Singh’s government, for its failure to deliver on promises. “Captain Amarinder vowed to end the drug menace in four months. His government not only failed but actively contributed to the deepening crisis. Punjab saw no relief during the Congress regime,” Kang added.
Contrasting the inaction of previous regimes, Kang said that the AAP government under CM Bhagwant Mann has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards drug traffickers. "Our government has not only arrested drug kingpins but also confiscated their properties and dismantled their empires. The Mann government is committed to eradicating drugs from Punjab entirely," he said.
Kang also highlighted the government’s focus on rehabilitation for those affected by addiction, assuring that every step will be taken to bring affected individuals back to a life of dignity and purpose.
AAP Punjab Working President MLA Sharry Kalsi delved into the historical roots of the issue, blaming the Akali-BJP alliance for facilitating the entry of drugs into Punjab. "By 2011, under the Akali-BJP rule, drugs were flowing freely across Punjab’s borders, destroying countless families and lives. Congress, instead of correcting these wrongs, let the problem fester further. Punjab’s youth were robbed of their future," Kalsi remarked.
He further noted that the Mann government is the first administration to take comprehensive and sustained action against drug cartels. "We are not just targeting the suppliers but uprooting the system that allowed them to thrive," Kalsi said.
Kalsi drawed attention to the infamous Bhola Case of 2013, which exposed the deep-rooted nexus of politicians and drug trafficking during the Akali-BJP regime. He also highlighted the tragic loss of over 125 lives in Majha due to illicit liquor under Congress rule, pointing out the failure to hold perpetrators accountable despite evidence implicating influential leaders. Kalsi praised AAP’s decisive action in seizing properties worth crores linked to drug lords, underscoring the government's firm resolve to dismantle the drug network and restore Punjab’s lost glory.
Youth leader Sonia Mann condemned the previous governments for neglecting the state's youth. “Under the Akali-BJP and Congress regimes, Punjab’s youth were abandoned. They were pushed into addiction instead of being empowered. Families sent their children abroad out of fear for their future here," she said.
Sonia Mann also praised CM Bhagwant Mann’s government for its proactive steps to empower Punjab’s youth. “The Mann government is not only fighting against drugs but also creating opportunities for young people. By empowering our youth, we are building a stronger and brighter future for Punjab,” she added.
Sonia Mann, while addressing the pressing issue of drug abuse in Punjab, emphasized the dire situation caused by drug trafficking and commended the efforts of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in combating this menace. She highlighted that under the Akali government, substances like heroin became rampant in Punjab, a problem that was virtually non-existent earlier. Drawing from her experiences as a social activist, Mann shared that during ground-level campaigns in border areas, she witnessed how drug smugglers devastated families by entrapping young men and tearing apart the social fabric. She praised the current government’s campaign against drug trafficking, stating that it is the first to take such concrete actions, including confiscating properties of drug smugglers and demolishing assets built through illicit earnings.
Sonia Mann further shared critical data underscoring the government’s performance. Under the AAP government, over 800 criminals involved in drug trafficking have been arrested, and properties worth ₹500 crore have been seized. Punjab has achieved an 85% conviction rate in drug-related cases, a significant improvement compared to the Congress government's rate of 59% in 2018. She lauded the health initiatives led by Dr. Balbir Singh, Punjab’s Health Minister, who has ensured that government-run rehabilitation centers provide quality care without abuse. Mann expressed hope that these proactive measures would soon rid Punjab of the drug menace and urged the central government to strengthen border security to curb the influx of drugs via drones in border areas.
The leaders collectively called for a united fight against the drug menace, urging the people to support AAP’s vision for a “Rangla Punjab.” "We are committed to dismantling every illegal empire built on drug money and will ensure a drug-free Punjab for future generations," Kang stated.