AAP Government Breaking Backbone of Drug Mafia But Congress, BJP & Akali Dal Trying to Save It: Harpal Cheema

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Finance Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday launched a sharp attack on the opposition, accusing the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal of joining hands to protect the drug mafia in Punjab. He said the continuous "war against drugs" being led by the AAP government has created a public wave across the state, and the impact on the ground is clear for everyone to see.

“Our campaign ‘Yudh Nashian De Virudh’ is not just a government initiative, it’s a people’s movement. From the common man to the village sarpanch, panch, MLAs, and even the Chief Minister, everyone has become part of this war against drugs,” said Cheema.

Cheema declared that the AAP government is breaking the backbone of the drug mafia, and the opposition is now visibly rattled. “Whenever we take strict action, whether it’s arresting drug smugglers or demolishing their illegal properties, someone from the opposition rushes to make excuses and protect them,” he said.

Referring to recent statements made by Captain Amarinder Singh, Cheema said, “His remarks clearly show that the Akali Dal, Congress, and BJP are all trying to save the drug mafia. They do not want drugs to end in Punjab, instead, they want to continue politicizing the issue and keep the drug trade alive.”

Cheema reminded the people of Punjab that these same parties made tall claims before the 2017 elections. “They talked big, but did nothing. Now that the AAP government is acting, their real face has been exposed. These parties have looted Punjab and pushed its youth towards destruction through drugs for the last 25–30 years,” he said.

He added, “It is extremely unfortunate that they are trying to sabotage a campaign that aims to save our youth. The Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal are all the same, they sit in different political camps but have the same agenda: to ruin Punjab by promoting drugs, corruption, and unemployment.”

Cheema also slammed the Captain Amarinder's attempts to use human rights arguments to shield drug mafias. “Every time we act, someone cries foul, quoting human rights or some other excuse to save criminals. But what about the human rights of the countless sisters who lost their husbands to drugs? What about the justice for parents who lost their sons and daughters to addiction?” he asked.

Cheema also noted the hollow promises made by opposition leaders in the past. “In 2017, Captain Amarinder Singh took a solemn oath on the Gutka Sahib to eliminate drugs from Punjab within four weeks. The Congress formed the government, yet no action was taken. Instead, what we saw was the rise of a ‘Chacha-Bhatija’ government, where Captain and Akali leader Bikram Majithia seemed to be working hand in glove. Even when the Congress changed its Chief Minister, no meaningful action was taken. This clearly shows that previous governments only made statements, but lacked the will to break the drug mafia’s grip on Punjab,” said Cheema.

Referring to a recent Facebook post by Captain Amarinder Singh, in which he questioned the AAP government’s action against Majithia, Cheema said it only confirms the long-standing nexus between the Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP. “These parties have collectively built the drug network in Punjab, trapped our youth, and tried to ruin our state’s reputation. Today, their statements, tweets, and videos are all indirectly defending the drug mafia. They are now nothing but a united front to save drug smugglers, a ‘Drug Mafia Bachao Party’ in the making,” he asserted.

The Minister asserted that AAP’s anti-drug drive will continue with full force, and no one will be spared. “Let me make it clear, whoever comes in the way of this campaign will face action. We will not back down,” Cheema declared.

He dismissed the opposition’s claims of political propaganda. “There is no coercion against anyone. Everyone is free to speak on their social media profiles. But the people of Punjab know when and how drugs entered this state,” he said.

“They are all part of the same nexus, whether they sit in the BJP, Congress, or Akali Dal. They contest elections to become MLAs and MPs, but destroy the lives of common people’s children by spreading drugs,” he said.

Concluding his address, Harpal Singh Cheema reaffirmed the AAP government’s commitment: “This is a fight for Punjab’s future. We will not stop. The people are with us, and the drug mafia, and their political protectors, will be defeated.”