BJP Punjab chief alleges AAP's drug campaign failed, claims 'traffickers enjoy patronage'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Thursday (July 30, 2026) alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has completely failed in its widely-publicised 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign, claiming that the drug crisis in the state has worsened under its rule.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Dhillon said that during the 2022 assembly elections, AAP had promised the people of Punjab that it would eradicate the drug menace within three months of assuming power. However, he claimed that instead of improving, the situation has deteriorated. "Punjab's youth are losing their lives every single day. When drug-affected families and ordinary citizens raise their voices against drug traffickers, they are openly threatened. This clearly indicates that the traffickers enjoy administrative and political patronage," he alleged.

The BJP leader further stated that public faith in the system has eroded to such an extent that families devastated by the drug menace are being forced to put up posters to sell their homes and stage protests. He cited the increasing number of drug-related deaths and growing public anger as evidence of the AAP government's governance failure on this issue.

"The AAP government's so-called promise of 'change' has come at a high cost for the people of Punjab and has pushed the state back by several years. The drug menace can be eradicated only through strong leadership and a robust policy framework, not through publicity campaigns and advertisements," Mr. Dhillon said, urging the people of Punjab to elect a BJP government in the upcoming assembly election, due in early 2027.

These allegations come as part of a political blame game ahead of the state elections. Punjab has long grappled with a serious drug abuse problem, which has been a major issue in successive elections. The AAP government, which came to power in 2022, has maintained that its anti-drug campaign is yielding results, though critics have questioned its effectiveness. The BJP, which is in opposition in the state, has consistently attacked the AAP government on this issue.

At the time of writing, the AAP government had not issued an official response to Mr. Dhillon's allegations. The claims made by the BJP leader are part of an ongoing political discourse and are yet to be independently verified. The upcoming election is likely to see further debate over the state's handling of the drug crisis and the accountability of all parties involved.