Accusing Congress and Akali leaders of sheltering drug lords and gangsters in Punjab, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal declared on Monday that his party's government has launched an all-out war against drugs and warned that anyone found involved in the trade would face strict action.
Speaking at a gathering in Ludhiana West, where a by-election is set to take place following the demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Kejriwal reaffirmed his government's commitment to combating drugs and corruption. He hinted that significant political figures linked to drug trafficking would soon be brought to justice.
Kejriwal stated that Punjab has witnessed an unprecedented crackdown on drugs over the past 20 days, with numerous actions taken against corruption and narcotics. Calling these developments just the beginning, he assured that more decisive steps would follow to transform Punjab into a prosperous state.
He accused rival parties of being deeply entrenched in the drug trade and asserted that their senior leaders would not be spared.
He claimed that while Congress and Akali leaders have long patronized drug lords and gangsters, no AAP minister has been accused of such associations. Kejriwal maintained that the Aam Aadmi Party has delivered a transparent and corruption-free government in Punjab.
Pointing to Pakistan as a source of drug inflow into Punjab, he alleged that smuggling operations using drones have been disrupted due to his government's strict anti-drug drive. He claimed that Pakistan is now struggling to find local handlers for its illicit shipments.
Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal offers prayers at Golden Temple
Highlighting his party’s efforts in governance, Kejriwal criticized previous administrations for plundering Punjab's resources for decades while ordinary citizens suffered. He emphasised that under AAP’s rule, corruption is being eradicated and development is taking precedence.
Addressing concerns in Ludhiana West, he stated that AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora has already initiated work on infrastructure improvements, including road repairs and transformer installations, and assured that local issues would be systematically addressed under his leadership.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also spoke at the event, underscored the government's dedication to listening to the people and resolving their concerns. He claimed that no previous chief minister or minister had engaged with citizens in such a direct manner, attributing past governments' reluctance to corruption and maladministration.
Mann reiterated Punjab’s intensified war on drugs, stating that for the first time, drug peddlers’ properties are being demolished with bulldozers and large-scale arrests are shaking the network of traffickers. He asserted that Pakistan’s smuggling operations are crumbling as their drones no longer find collaborators in Punjab.
Concluding his speech, Mann emphasized that in the three years AAP has been in power, there has been no corruption or wrongdoing by the party—a track record unmatched by previous administrations.
Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal says Bhagwant Mann will complete 5 years
Follow us
