AAP Condemns Punjab Governor's Anti-Drug Yatra as Politically Motivated
The Aam Aadmi Party has launched a scathing critique of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's recently initiated anti-drug foot march in Ferozepur, labeling it a "so-called" initiative that sends a deeply troubling political message. The party asserts that while the AAP government has been leading a sustained, on-ground battle against narcotics across the state, the governor's parallel yatra raises serious questions about his alignment with forces historically responsible for drug proliferation in Punjab.
Questionable Composition of the Yatra
AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed strong exception to the participants involved in the governor's march. "A yatra in which Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP working president Ashwani Sharma are seated together cannot be genuinely aimed at eradicating drugs," Dhaliwal stated emphatically. "Such a spectacle does not inspire public confidence; instead, it appears to be an exercise that shields criminals rather than confronting them directly."
Dhaliwal elaborated that the AAP government has been continuously conducting authentic anti-drug yatras throughout Punjab as part of a comprehensive strategy. "These yatras are not merely symbolic gestures; they represent a sustained, grassroots battle against the drug menace," he explained. "However, rattled by the tangible success of our government's efforts, the governor has now initiated his own separate march. Both the methodology employed and the individuals involved raise several serious ethical and political questions."
Historical Context and Allegations
Clarifying that the AAP does not oppose any genuine anti-drug initiatives, Dhaliwal emphasized, "We welcome every individual, organization, and institution to join the fight against drugs. But it is deeply condemnable that the governor is walking alongside those very people who are themselves responsible for spreading drugs throughout Punjab during their tenure in power."
The AAP leader urged the governor to reflect on Punjab's recent history before embarking on such initiatives. "Before starting this yatra, the governor should have understood who brought the so-called 'sixth river' of drugs to the land of five rivers," Dhaliwal asserted. "From 2007 to 2017, when these political forces governed Punjab, drugs flourished openly across the state. Today, the same individuals are sharing the stage with the governor. These are the very people who, while in power, provided shelter and protection to drug traffickers and syndicates."
Moral and Political Implications
Expressing profound concern over the moral message being conveyed, Dhaliwal questioned, "The people of Punjab today want to know with what face those forces that destroyed the youth of Punjab are now leading an anti-drug yatra. By standing with them, the governor is inadvertently encouraging the very forces that pushed Punjab's future into darkness and despair."
Apart from Sukhbir Badal and Ashwani Sharma, the foot march also included Dera Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon, who had recently visited SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in Nabha Jail. This participation further fueled AAP's criticism of the yatra's credibility.
Alternative Path Suggested
Dhaliwal proposed that if the governor was genuinely serious about eliminating drugs, he should have chosen a fundamentally different approach. "If the Governor authentically wants to combat drugs, he should walk alongside those people and organizations who have been honestly fighting this menace at the grassroots level for many years," he suggested. "Since the formation of the AAP government, drugs have been our most significant challenge, and for the past four years we have been waging a decisive and sustained battle against this epidemic."
Political Speculation Intensifies
The participation of SAD and BJP leaders in the governor's event has sparked widespread speculation about a potential re-alliance between the two parties ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. While Ashwani Sharma and Dera Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon participated in the foot march led by the governor, Sukhbir Badal joined later and attended the governor's anti-drug drive event in Ferozepur. This convergence of political figures from traditionally opposing parties has raised eyebrows across Punjab's political landscape, suggesting possible realignments as election preparations begin.
The AAP maintains that the fight against drugs must remain apolitical and genuinely focused on rehabilitation and eradication. The party's criticism underscores the tension between the state government's ongoing anti-drug campaigns and what they perceive as politically motivated parallel initiatives that could undermine substantive progress against substance abuse in Punjab.
