Punjab BJP Reaffirms Independent Stance for Upcoming Assembly Elections
In a significant political development, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma has categorically stated that the party will contest independently across all 117 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections. This announcement comes amidst swirling rumors about potential alliances with other political entities, which Sharma firmly dismissed during his media interactions.
Clarification on Participation in Anti-Drug March
Addressing speculations regarding his presence alongside Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal during a padyatra led by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit in Ferozepur, Sharma provided a detailed explanation. He emphasized that the governor had extended invitations to numerous political leaders to join the march aimed at raising awareness against drug abuse.
"Ministers, MPs, and MLAs from the ruling party were also invited. As a concerned citizen of Punjab, I participated, and no politics should be seen in it," Sharma asserted. He lamented that some individuals attempted to politicize the issue, stressing that his involvement was solely for a pious cause. "No political meaning should be drawn, and there is no basis for such rumors," he added, urging against misinterpretation of his actions.
Scathing Critique of AAP Government's Drug Policy
During his address to mediapersons in Bathinda, Sharma launched a vehement attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's handling of the drug crisis in Punjab. He recalled that the AAP came to power with a bold promise to make the state drug-free within a month. However, over the past four years, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly set deadlines to eliminate drugs, yet the situation has deteriorated alarmingly.
Sharma painted a grim picture of the current scenario, stating that drugs are being sold openly in villages, cities, and even within jails. "The ground reality is that youth are dying daily due to drug abuse, signboards claiming 'Chitta available here' are being put up, and drugs are being delivered to homes," he revealed, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem.
Alarming Statistics on Drug-Related Deaths
The BJP leader presented startling data to underscore the severity of the crisis. He claimed that during the Mann government's 46-month tenure, official records show approximately 1,600 youth deaths. However, Sharma argued that the actual number of drug-related fatalities ranges between 15,000 and 16,000, a staggering discrepancy.
He attributed this underreporting to multiple factors:
- Many families refrain from reporting such deaths due to social stigma.
- Police often avoid registering First Information Reports (FIRs) in these cases.
- Consequently, only about one-tenth of the actual cases come to light, masking the true extent of the tragedy.
Expanding Impact of Drug Menace Across Demographics
Sharma expressed deep concern over the widening reach of drug addiction, noting that it no longer affects only young men. "The drug problem in Punjab has become so severe that not only young men but also children aged 10–12, girls, and even pregnant women are falling prey to it," he stated. He shared harrowing anecdotes of drug addicts resorting to extreme violence, including killing family members to fund their addiction.
In one particularly tragic case, he mentioned a mother who lost all six of her sons to drugs. "He asked why this 'Udta Punjab' is not visible to the chief minister," Sharma questioned, referencing the term popularized by a Bollywood film to describe the state's drug epidemic.
Boldness of Drug Smugglers and Law Enforcement Challenges
The BJP working president also highlighted the audacity of drug smugglers, who he said operate with impunity. "The morale of drug smugglers is so high that they not only attack those who oppose drugs but also fire at their houses and kill their family members," he reported. In many instances, smugglers exhibit no fear of law enforcement, attacking or even killing police personnel.
This brazen behavior, according to Sharma, underscores the failure of the current administration to curb the drug trade and protect citizens, further justifying the BJP's decision to contest independently and offer a new direction for Punjab.
