Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched a sharp counter-offensive against the BJP ahead of its 'Nasha Mukt Yatra' in the poll-bound state. The yatra is scheduled to begin on September 18 and is expected to put drug abuse and law and order at the centre of political discourse ahead of the Assembly elections.
Addressing the media along with DGP Gaurav Yadav and senior police officers, Mann said Punjab remained a "peace-loving state" and maintained that its law-and-order record was being unfairly questioned.
Mann Questions Why Punjab Is Blamed for Drugs
Taking a dig at the BJP's proposed anti-drug campaign, Mann asked why Punjab is being blamed for drugs when the wider national drug-smuggling network is being ignored. He said the Centre should first address drug consignments that enter the country before pointing fingers at Punjab.
Mann accused the Opposition of deliberately portraying Punjab as a state plagued by drugs and lawlessness while ignoring the larger national drug-smuggling network. In his view, the BJP's yatra is less about solving the drug problem and more about political messaging ahead of elections.
BJP's Nasha Mukt Yatra and Punjab Elections
The BJP's 'Nasha Mukt Yatra' is set to begin on September 18 and will focus on drug abuse and law and order in Punjab. The campaign is expected to shape the political narrative ahead of the Assembly elections.
Mann's response makes it clear that the ruling party in Punjab will not let the BJP own the anti-drug narrative without a fight. By bringing DGP Gaurav Yadav and senior police officers to the press conference, Mann signalled that his government is ready to defend its record on law and order.
Our Take: A Political Battle Over Punjab's Drug Problem
In our view, both sides are using the drug issue for political gain ahead of elections. The BJP wants to paint Punjab as a failed state on law and order. Mann wants to shift the blame to the Centre and national smuggling networks. The truth is that Punjab does have a serious drug problem, but it is not the only state affected. Drug smuggling is a national issue that requires a national response, not just state-level blame games.
To put it plainly, voters in Punjab should ask both parties what they will actually do to stop drugs from reaching young people. Campaigns and yatras make headlines, but they do not solve problems. The real test is whether either side has a concrete plan to break the supply chain and help those already affected by addiction.
Mann's decision to hit back before the yatra even begins shows he knows the BJP's campaign is aimed at him. Whether his counter-offensive works will depend on whether voters believe his government has done enough to tackle drugs on the ground.
