Punjab Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Avtar Singh Karimpuri on Saturday strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of merely paying "lip service" to the growing drug menace in the state.
Speaking at the 'Punjab Sambhalo' rally in Phagwara, organised to mark the birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, Karimpuri alleged that the ruling government had failed to take concrete action against the drug crisis, which he claimed had worsened under AAP's rule.
Addressing a large gathering of party supporters, Karimpuri emphasised that if BSP is elected to power in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, it would take decisive steps to free the state from the scourge of drugs, rising unemployment, mounting debt, and the deteriorating law and order situation.
He held not only the current AAP government responsible for Punjab’s drug problem but also blamed the previous Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) governments for failing to address the crisis effectively.
"The drug mafia is ravaging Punjab’s youth, and instead of taking stern action to eliminate this menace, the government is content with mere rhetoric. The situation has only worsened under successive governments, with no real effort made to curb the growing drug trade," Karimpuri stated.
He further highlighted the ongoing exodus of Punjabi youth to foreign countries, attributing it to the "policy failures" of past and present governments. According to him, the lack of employment opportunities and a secure future within Punjab is forcing the younger generation to seek a better life abroad.
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The rally witnessed the presence of several prominent party leaders, including BSP’s national coordinator Randhir Singh Beniwal, Kanshi Ram’s sister Kulwant Kaur, Punjab state in-charge Vipul Kumar, and MLA Dr. Nachhatar Pal. Beniwal, while addressing the gathering, claimed that there was a noticeable "upsurge" of the BSP not only in Punjab but across multiple states in the country.
"The growing support for the BSP in Punjab will pave the way for the party to emerge as a strong political force in the 2027 elections. The people of Punjab are looking for an alternative to the existing parties that have failed to deliver on their promises," Beniwal asserted.
Taking a direct jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, Beniwal alleged that both parties had made "sinister attempts" to weaken the BSP over the years. However, he claimed that their efforts had failed, and the party remains resilient in its mission to bring about meaningful change in Punjab’s political landscape.
The rally in Phagwara served as a platform for the BSP to position itself as a formidable contender for power in Punjab, with party leaders rallying support for their vision of a drug-free and progressive state.
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