Politics

Congress Accuses AAP of Failing to Tackle Punjab’s Drug and Gangster Problems

By Subodh Ghildiyal

Sachin Pilot, the AICC state in‑charge, told Subodh Ghildiyal that drug trafficking and underworld crime are the main concerns for the upcoming Punjab elections. He said the AAP government has shown no willingness to eradicate these issues and that, if elected, Congress would finish the job. Pilot cited the National Crime Records Bureau 2024 data, noting Punjab had the second‑highest NDPS Act crime rate at 29 cases per lakh. He claimed that if the AAP had the will, it could have eliminated the drug menace in 4.5 years. Pilot also highlighted gangsterism, describing a nexus between incarcerated individuals and outside operators who conduct shoot‑outs and robberies, and said this was not a traditional Punjab problem. He blamed the police and intelligence services for lacking integrity and political direction to curb the menace, linking the twin evils to unemployment. Pilot added that Punjab faces record Dalit atrocities, unemployment and an ongoing agrarian crisis, and that the AAP’s failure is pushing the state downhill. He said Congress is confident that Punjab voters seek change and that the party will provide it, noting that the state is important for the country’s historical, political and social contributions. Pilot said the BJP is also criticizing the AAP over drug issues, but he argued that drugs enter Punjab from the border and that the Union ministries of Home Affairs and Defence are responsible. He questioned the BJP’s anti‑drug drive in Punjab and cited the 2021 Mundra Port seizure of Rs 21,000 crore worth of cocaine as evidence of large-scale smuggling. Pilot said the upcoming contest will involve AAP, Congress, BJP and SAD, with the main battle between AAP and Congress. He noted that Congress won seven of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in 2024, while BJP has no strong foothold in Punjab and relies on SAD support, which is currently split. He said the election will be a bipolar contest over who can lead Punjab better. Pilot also said Congress has played the role of a strong opposition for 4.5 years and has delivered when in office, but the party has never presented a clear Chief Minister face, instead relying on a state president, campaign committee chairman and legislature party leader as a team.