In a sharp critique from within, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday targeted her own party's government in Punjab, accusing it of failing to curb the state's severe drug addiction crisis despite spending crores of rupees on publicity.
Question Hour Confrontation Over Punjab's Drug Crisis
During the Question Hour in the Upper House, Maliwal highlighted a disturbing contradiction. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in raids conducted on 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab, found these facilities were engaged in supplying drugs instead of providing rehabilitation. She pointed out that while the Punjab government allocates massive funds for hoardings and advertisements proclaiming its war on drugs, the state remains firmly in the grip of the menace.
"Punjab govt is spending crores on hoardings and advertisements but the state is still in the grip of drug menace," Maliwal stated while posing a supplementary question. She directly asked, "I want to ask the minister if there is some way that the Centre can make Punjab use the drug de-addiction funds for the purpose they are meant, and ensure that the drug de-addiction centres remain focused on de-addiction?"
Government Acknowledges Serious Problem
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, B L Verma, acknowledged the gravity of the issue raised by the AAP MP. He conceded that the drug problem is indeed serious in Punjab, revealing a startling fact: drug addiction is prevalent even in the Central jails of Punjab.
In response, Verma informed the House that 10 dedicated de-addiction centres have been set up within these jails alone. He assured Maliwal that he would review the specific matter she raised regarding the misuse of funds and explore possible resolutions.
Background of Maliwal's Estrangement from AAP
This public criticism marks another chapter in Swati Maliwal's strained relationship with the AAP leadership. The MP fell out of favour with her party after an incident in May last year, where she was allegedly assaulted by Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant to then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, at the CM's residence.
Maliwal reported the alleged assault to the police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Bibhav Kumar was arrested subsequently but was eventually granted bail in September 2024. Her latest remarks in Parliament underscore her continued independent stance against her party's administrations.
