"Drug mafias are roaming freely": BJP's Tarun Chugh slams AAP over drug problem in Punjab
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging that drug mafias are operating freely in the state while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is preoccupied with the hospitality of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
While speaking to ANI, Tarun Chugh said, 'AAP's governance is primarily for headlines, not for public interest. Drug mafias are roaming freely, and the CM, Bhagwant Mann, is only engaged in the hospitality of Arvind Kejriwal.'
He further alleged that the governance failure in Punjab over the last several years has allowed crime and drug-related activities to flourish.
'AAP and Congress have been in power in Punjab for the last 8.5 years... The state has been thrown into the fire of crime and anarchy,' he added.
Reiterating the BJP's position on the issue, Chugh added, 'BJP stands strong against drug dealers. No dealer should be spared.'
His remarks come amid the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was sent to seven days of police custody by a Mohali court on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case linked to drugs. He is scheduled to be produced before the court again on July 2.
Meanwhile, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, asserted that the Punjab government is tackling the drug menace at its root.
In a post on X, on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Kejriwal wrote, 'Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse. In Punjab, the AAP government is not just talking - we are taking strong action to make the state drug-free. We're fighting the problem at its root to protect our youth and their future. Let's salute every honest officer, volunteer, and citizen who stands with us in this real battle.'
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also emphasised that their war against drugs has now transformed into a mass movement.
'The campaign we launched from Punjab to eradicate drugs, 'War Against Drugs', has now transformed into a mass movement. Those who ruin families and use the ill-got gains of this sin to build palaces and host lavish parties will not be spared,' CM Mann said while speaking to the media.
'We have improved law and order in Punjab and provided people with a safe environment. By taking the strictest action against drug traffickers, we have forced them to flee Punjab,' he said. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
39 minutes ago
- The Hindu
In Tamil Nadu politics, too many players waiting in the wings
Though every election is important, the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are especially crucial, as they are likely to determine the future of many political parties in the State, including of the AIADMK, which is one of the two major Dravidian forces. Bipolarity in Tamil Nadu politics has traditionally kept the AIADMK and its rival, the DMK, alive and relevant, regardless of electoral outcomes. However, the losing party in 2026 may struggle to stay afloat, since many others are waiting in the wings. The DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has managed to hold its alliance together and maintain a relatively stable front since 2017. Its partners — the Left parties and the Congress — have little choice but to stick with the DMK because of ideological and strategic reasons. The presence of the BJP prevents them from switching sides or experimenting with other alliances. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, remains in the DMK-led alliance not only because of its opposition to the BJP, but also because any alliance that includes the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is unacceptable to it. Mr. Stalin has already started touring districts under the slogan 'Tamil Nadu under one front,' with the goal of enrolling 2 crore members. On the other hand, the AIADMK-led alliance remains in disarray. It is grappling with multiple issues, particularly of power-sharing after the elections. The BJP, driven by the single-minded agenda of breaking new ground in Tamil Nadu, often acts as if it leads the alliance and tries to dictate terms to the AIADMK. This has caused a lot of bitterness among the AIADMK rank and file. The PMK, a potential ally, is entangled in a family feud between its founder, S. Ramadoss, and his son Anbumani Ramadoss; this has created uncertainty about its political direction. No amount of persuasion has stopped Dr. Ramadoss from talking about internal disputes in public and projecting his son as his arch rival. Even if reconciliation occurs, the damage may be irreparable, as the war of words has already eroded unity in the second tier of leadership. As for the AIADMK, though former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is under pressure to forge a strong alliance to take on the DMK, he remains indecisive about reconciling with the faction led by another former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam. In his calculations, V.K. Sasikala, the close aide of the late J. Jayalalithaa, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who leads his own party, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, do not seem to count. Mr. Palaniswami overlooks the fact that these factions still retain some support among a particular community in Tamil Nadu, even if that support is difficult to quantify. Both the AIADMK and the BJP are hoping that actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) will join them, although there have been no overtures from Mr. Vijay's side. Mr. Vijay aims to project himself as an alternative to the traditional political parties in Tamil Nadu. However, as of now, his party is no match to the DMK or the AIADMK in terms of organisational strength and financial clout. Mr. Vijay may garner a share of the vote, but is unlikely to emerge as a major challenge to either Dravidian party. While he is still young in politics, Mr. Vijay may fade into irrelevance if he fails to play his cards wisely. Another player is Seeman, the leader of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi, who has refused to align with any party. Seeking to mobilise voters on the Tamil nationalist plank, his party crossed the 8% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now qualifies as a recognised State party under the Election Commission of India's guidelines. Mr. Seeman seems determined to fight the Assembly elections on his own, but he may find it difficult to stay relevant unless he wins seats. The overcrowded political landscape poses a serious challenge to both the DMK and AIADMK. Neither can afford to lose these elections. The DMK is attempting to capitalise on its record of fulfilling electoral promises and maintaining a cohesive alliance. The AIADMK, once a formidable force, has not yet mobilised effectively to take advantage of the anti-incumbency factor that even the best performing governments face. It is unclear whether anti-incumbency will benefit the AIADMK or Mr. Vijay. Even if Mr. Vijay succeeds, that may help the DMK, as it will prevent the AIADMK from gaining the edge that it desperately needs.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will replicate Guj's success stories: Delhi edu minister
Gandhinagar: Ashish Sood, Delhi minister for home, power, urban development, and education, said that the BJP-led Delhi state govt will adopt and replicate success stories of Gujarat's education system. He was speaking on Sunday, a day after his visit to Surat on Saturday. In Surat in connection with an urban development project, he also visited a municipal school where education is imparted using digital platforms. "Delhi should have been a model for the country in education, but when the BJP took over, there were just about 700 or 800 smart classrooms in govt schools in the national capital. We intend to roll out 7,000 smart classrooms in the coming months," the minister said on Sunday. Commenting on Gujarat's Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), a centralised project to monitor learning outcomes in govt schools, Sood said, "We will definitely adopt the concept of the VSK and implement it in Delhi with better ideas." tnn You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Union minister Khatik walks off stage after ‘insult' at CM's event
Bhopal: Union minister and Tikamgarh MP Virendra Khatik reportedly walked off the stage after facing alleged humiliation during CM Mohan Yadav's event in Niwari district. The incident occurred at the Devi Ahilyabai Nari Sammelan held on Saturday in Prithvipur town, where Khatik's speech was allegedly interrupted by a community leader. A video of the moment has gone viral on social media, stirring political debate. According to local media reports, as soon as Khatik was called to speak, Pal Samaj National President Shaitan Singh Pal allegedly pulled his hand and stopped him from addressing the gathering. The Union Minister attempted to free himself and briefly spoke for just two minutes. After the exchange, Khatik reportedly walked across the stage to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, had a brief conversation with him, and then left the stage in visible anger without completing his address. The viral video shows Khatik looking uncomfortable as Pal continues to hold his hand. Local BJP leaders have attempted to downplay the incident. BJP Niwari district president Rajesh told local reporters, "The BJP is a large family. Such minor incidents happen. There's no need to make a big issue of it — we resolve matters internally." MP representative Vivek Chaturvedi described Khatik as "Bundelkhand's Gandhi", and told local media, "He has conducted himself with seriousness and dignity throughout his political career. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Livguard Lithium-X: The Future of Power Backup Livguard Buy Now Undo He doesn't engage in theatrics." On the other hand, Shaitan Singh Pal, while speaking to the media, denied any disrespect. "He is my elder brother and a senior minister. There was no insult. I had only requested him to help in placing a ceremonial turban on the Chief Minister on behalf of Pal Samaj. There was a misunderstanding."
