Punjab Drug Menace Returns to Centre Stage as BJP Steps Up Campaign Ahead of 2027 Polls

The drug menace in Punjab, which remained at the centre stage for more than decade, is yet again emerging as the key poll issue ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.Home Minister Amit Shah spent his Dasarra in Punjab campaigning against drug menace.

Post Published By: Pradeep Tripathi

Updated : 21 October 2026, 6:55 PM IST

Amit Shah revives Punjab drug issue ahead of 2027 polls (Img: IANS)

New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah's day long visit to Punjab on Tuesday, once again brought the drug menace at centre stage.Shah visited three places- Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur to console the families of those who recently lost their kin in drug menace.

Three weeks back, It was on September 30, the Home Minister addressed a rally Jallandar on "Nasha Mukt Punjab".

BJP sharpens attack on AAP government

Later in the day, while addressing a press conferance in Ludhiana, the Home Minister accused the AAP government of doing nothing concrete to eradicate the drug abuse in Five years, though it promised to eradicate within three months. Home Minister's visit has clearly indicated that BJP has shifted its gears ahead of 2027 assembly polls and the drug abuse is going to be on the centre stage as a key poll issue.

Also Read: Punjab Drug Crisis: Amit Shah Targets Bhagwant Mann Government, Sets 2029 Deadline to End Menace

Bhagwant Mann accuses BJP of politicising the issue

Chief Minister Bagwant Mann countered home minister of playing politics on the issue.He said that "Home Minister Amit Shah is welcome to visit Punjab
whenever he wants. But the BJP is propagating that it has come to save Punjab and make it drug-free".

Not only AAP and Congress party, but also several political observers in the state point out that drugs come from the ports of Gujarat and Maharastra and across the pakistan border. " we have caught up to Rs 20,000 crore worth drugs so far", said an official.

Also Read: CJP Activists Get Relief as Delhi Court Accepts Sureties, Orders Release

In the public perception, the basic question remained as to how do those drugs reach Punjab ?It is not possible without political patronage. The drug
business and trade of "Chitta"(heroin) have reached every single village and you have failed to stop it.

AAP activists question when the BJP was in power in Punjab in partnership with Akahli dal from 2007 to 2017,the problem of drugs grew into a major crisis, with drugs arriving in quantities running into quintals, why were you not concerned about seving Punjab then ? and why did you not take action ? With the assembly polls fast approaching, the BJP is trying to exploit public sympathy.