📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Home Affairs
Politics
Amit Shah vows to eliminate drugs in Punjab by Dec 2029 if BJP returns to power
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 01 Oct 2026, 07:32 AM
👁 10
Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged to wipe out the illicit drug trade in Punjab by December 2029, provided the BJP forms the next government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a commitment to eradicate illegal drug activity in Punjab by the end of December 2029, linking the goal to the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospective return to power in the state. Shah made the statement during a press briefing where he outlined the party's broader law‑and‑order agenda ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The pledge sets a concrete deadline for a multi‑year crackdown that would involve intensified police operations, increased rehabilitation facilities, and coordination with central agencies. Shah emphasized that the plan would be funded through existing central schemes and would be monitored by a dedicated task force.
Political analysts note that the promise is aimed at bolstering the BJP's electoral appeal in a state where drug‑related concerns have become a major voter issue. Opposition parties have called for detailed implementation guidelines, while civil‑society groups have urged the government to focus on both supply‑side enforcement and demand‑reduction measures.
The statement comes as the BJP prepares its campaign strategy for the 2025 Punjab assembly polls, seeking to translate law‑and‑order narratives into electoral gains. Shah reiterated that the party's commitment to a drug‑free Punjab would be a cornerstone of its governance agenda if it secures a mandate.
The pledge sets a concrete deadline for a multi‑year crackdown that would involve intensified police operations, increased rehabilitation facilities, and coordination with central agencies. Shah emphasized that the plan would be funded through existing central schemes and would be monitored by a dedicated task force.
Political analysts note that the promise is aimed at bolstering the BJP's electoral appeal in a state where drug‑related concerns have become a major voter issue. Opposition parties have called for detailed implementation guidelines, while civil‑society groups have urged the government to focus on both supply‑side enforcement and demand‑reduction measures.
The statement comes as the BJP prepares its campaign strategy for the 2025 Punjab assembly polls, seeking to translate law‑and‑order narratives into electoral gains. Shah reiterated that the party's commitment to a drug‑free Punjab would be a cornerstone of its governance agenda if it secures a mandate.