Drugs, gangsterism grew during SAD-BJP regime: Dhaliwal
- Posted: June 02, 2025
- Updated: 12:27 am
DW BUREAU / Chandigarh
Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal launched a scathing attack on BJP Punjab General Secretary Tarun Chugh, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy and complicity in Punjab's drug menace. Responding to Chugh's remarks and those of BJP spokesperson Joshi, Dhaliwal stated that drugs and gangsterism proliferated in Punjab during the BJP-Akali Dal regime.
"Everyone knows the era of drugs in Punjab began under the BJP-Akali Dal government. What was BJP's stance when drugs started flooding Punjab? Why didn't BJP leaders speak up then?" Dhaliwal questioned.
The Minister pointed out that senior Akali leaders, who were BJP allies, faced accusations of drug smuggling, yet BJP chose to remain silent. He asked, "Tarun Chugh, how do you defend your party's silence when a prominent Akali leader was jailed for smuggling? Why didn't the BJP act against its ally's involvement in such crimes?"
Dhaliwal also criticized Captain Amarinder Singh, now a BJP leader, for failing to fulfill his 2017 promise to eradicate drugs in Punjab. "Captain Amarinder Singh swore on the Gutka Sahib to end drugs but did nothing in five years. Tarun Chugh should explain why Captain, now in BJP, remained inactive on this critical issue," he said.
Highlighting the AAP government's accomplishments, Dhaliwal said, "Under the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign launched on March 1, our government has arrested over 14,500 smugglers, registered 8,600 FIRs, and seized 594 kilograms of heroin. We have demolished drug smugglers' illegal properties and put them behind bars. This campaign has become a mass movement, with people across villages, towns, and cities taking oaths to fight drugs."
He invited Chugh to witness the transformation firsthand. "Come to Amritsar with me, and I'll show you how people are actively participating in this movement. How can you call this campaign a failure when it has galvanized the entire state?" Dhaliwal accused the BJP of being anti-Punjab, highlighting the party's attempts to usurp Punjab's resources.
(editor@dailyworld.in)
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