Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal Challenges Tarun Chugh: What Did Your Party Do for Punjab’s Youth as Drugs Flourished Under Your Rule

Chandigarh, June 1, 2025: Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal launched a scathing attack on BJP Punjab General Secretary Tarun Chugh, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy and complicity in Punjab’s drug menace. Responding to Chugh’s remarks and those of BJP spokesperson Joshi, Dhaliwal stated that drugs and gangsterism proliferated in Punjab during the BJP-Akali Dal regime.

“Everyone knows the era of drugs in Punjab began under the BJP-Akali Dal government. What was BJP’s stance when drugs started flooding Punjab? Why didn’t BJP leaders speak up then?” Dhaliwal questioned.

The Minister pointed out that senior Akali leaders, who were BJP allies, faced accusations of drug smuggling, yet BJP chose to remain silent. He asked, “Tarun Chugh, how do you defend your party’s silence when a prominent Akali leader was jailed for smuggling? Why didn’t the BJP act against its ally’s involvement in such crimes?”

Dhaliwal also criticized Captain Amarinder Singh, now a BJP leader, for failing to fulfill his 2017 promise to eradicate drugs in Punjab. “Captain Amarinder Singh swore on the Gutka Sahib to end drugs but did nothing in five years. Tarun Chugh should explain why Captain, now in BJP, remained inactive on this critical issue,” he said.

Highlighting the AAP government’s accomplishments, Dhaliwal said, “Under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, our government has arrested over 14,500 smugglers, registered 8,600 FIRs, and seized 594 kilograms of heroin. We have demolished drug smugglers’ illegal properties and put them behind bars. This campaign has become a mass movement, with people across villages, towns, and cities taking oaths to fight drugs.”

He invited Chugh to witness the transformation firsthand. “Come to Amritsar with me, and I’ll show you how people are actively participating in this movement. How can you call this campaign a failure when it has galvanized the entire state?”

Dhaliwal accused the BJP of being anti-Punjab, highlighting the party’s attempts to usurp Punjab’s resources. He cited examples such as the deployment of CISF at Nangal Dam, which he called an attempt to seize Punjab’s water resources, and the withholding of funds by the central government.

“The BJP wants to weaken Punjab, steal our water, and deny us our rightful funds. Tarun Chugh must answer: Is he standing with Punjab or with BJP and its Haryana and central units, which are trying to rob Punjab of its rights?” he said.

The Minister also took aim at Congress leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi, asking them to account for their tenure. “Channi and Captain Amarinder failed Punjab miserably. Did they demolish the homes of drug smugglers or seize their properties? Congress has no moral ground to criticize us,” Dhaliwal asserted.

Dhaliwal concluded by affirming AAP’s dedication to Punjab’s progress. “The AAP government has achieved what no previous government could. We are eradicating drugs, seizing smugglers’ properties, and standing up for Punjab’s rights. We will win the Ludhiana West by-election with a massive lead and continue our work for the people.”

He challenged Tarun Chugh and BJP leaders to show what they have done for Punjab. “Stop playing politics and tell us what BJP has delivered for Punjab. Punjab will not be misled by your empty words anymore,” Dhaliwal declared.