Punjab Congress Chief Questions Governor's Anti-Drug March Motives
In a sharp political critique, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has raised serious doubts about the intentions behind Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's recent "march against drugs." Warring suggested that the governor's initiative might be a strategic move to assist the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its leader Sukhbir Singh Badal in reviving their political fortunes, potentially paving the way for an eventual alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Allegations of a 'Samjhauta Express' for Political Revival
Warring directly questioned Governor Kataria, asking whether the anti-drug campaign was genuinely aimed at combating narcotics or if it was an attempt to run what he termed the 'Samjhauta Express'—a metaphorical reference to a covert political operation. He implied that the march could be a calculated effort to lay the groundwork for rekindling an Akali-BJP alliance in Punjab, especially with state assembly elections on the horizon.
As the anti-drug campaign unfolds, Warring remarked that it resembles cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) being administered to the ailing Shiromani Akali Dal, which has been struggling politically. He emphasized that this move appears timed to inject life into the party ahead of crucial electoral battles.
Reaction to SAD President's Participation
Reacting to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal joining the governor's march, Warring took to social media platform X to voice his concerns. In a post, he posed a pointed question: "My humble question to Hon Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria Ji is whether the march he is leading against drugs is actually a campaign against drugs or an attempt to run the ‘Samjhauta Express' and prepare the ground for forging an Akali-BJP alliance in the state."
He further challenged the governor on procedural grounds, asking, "Before leading the march, did you raise the matter with the Union home ministry, under whose jurisdiction the border security falls?" Warring noted that the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction has been expanded up to 50 kilometers inside the borders, raising questions about the central government's role in preventing drug smuggling.
Criticism of Government Failures and Political Messaging
Warring did not mince words in criticizing both state and central governments. He asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has completely failed in addressing the drug crisis, while questioning what the central government is doing to curb cross-border drug trafficking. He urged Governor Kataria to prioritize raising the issue with the Union Home Ministry before what he described as running the 'Samjhauta Express' under the guise of an anti-drug march.
Adding a visual dimension to his critique, Warring referenced photographs from the march featuring Governor Kataria and Sukhbir Singh Badal together. He stated, "I must add, the pictures of the ‘march' look too ‘nice' to be overlooked for the obvious message they carry and convey." This comment underscores his belief that the imagery is strategically crafted to signal political camaraderie and alliance-building, rather than a sincere effort against drug abuse.
The controversy highlights the intense political maneuvering in Punjab as parties position themselves ahead of elections, with the anti-drug march becoming a focal point for allegations of hidden agendas and electoral calculations.
