In a recent escalation of political tensions in Punjab, the Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of failing to curb the drug menace and alleging narcotics are being delivered within minutes. The AAP has strongly refuted these claims, setting the stage for a heated political battle.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been at the forefront of the Congress's offensive, releasing a video purportedly showing the ease with which drugs are accessible in the state. Channi and other Congress leaders have asserted that the AAP government's policies have not only failed to address the drug problem but have exacerbated it, leading to a situation where drugs are allegedly delivered to users within a mere five minutes. The Congress has questioned the effectiveness of the AAP government's efforts to combat drug trafficking and has accused it of making false claims about curbing the drug trade.
The AAP has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. The party has countered that the Congress is attempting to undermine the AAP government's anti-drug campaign and is protecting drug peddlers. The AAP has also accused the BJP-led central government of not doing enough to stop the smuggling of drugs across the border. AAP leaders have pointed to the arrests of drug peddlers and the seizure of assets as evidence of their commitment to eradicating the drug menace. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stated his government has frozen properties worth ₹2,730 crore belonging to over 1,400 drug smugglers.
The drug issue has long been a contentious one in Punjab, with various political parties trading blame over the years. The Congress had similarly attacked previous governments, including the Akali regime, for failing to tackle drug smugglers. The AAP, while in opposition, had also accused the Congress-led government of failing to curb the drug trade.
The current accusations come at a time when the AAP government is already facing criticism over law and order in the state. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has alleged that the law and order situation is deteriorating under the AAP regime, with incidents of intimidation, extortion, and killings becoming more frequent.
The back-and-forth between the Congress and the AAP highlights the deep-seated political divisions in Punjab and the challenges of addressing the complex issue of drug abuse. With both parties trading accusations and counter-accusations, it remains to be seen whether a comprehensive and effective strategy to combat the drug menace can be implemented in the state.