“Earlier 70% drugs came from Pak, now 70% comes from Gujarat”: Arvind Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the primary route through which drugs enter Punjab has changed over the years, alleging that narcotics are now being routed through Gujarat rather than across the border from Pakistan.
Speaking at a traders’ rally in Jalandhar, Kejriwal said that while a majority of drugs previously entered Punjab from Pakistan, the situation has now shifted significantly. He alleged that Gujarat has become the main gateway for drug trafficking and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to effectively tackle the issue.
During his address, Kejriwal also targeted the BJP over its handling of crime and law enforcement. Referring to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, he controversially described him as the BJP’s “damaad” (son-in-law), implying that the party has been overly lenient toward individuals linked to criminal networks.
The AAP leader further argued that the central government has not taken adequate steps to curb drug smuggling and claimed that the narcotics problem continues to pose a serious challenge for Punjab. He called for stronger measures against trafficking syndicates and those involved in the illegal drug trade.
Kejriwal’s remarks come amid continued political debate over drug trafficking and law-and-order concerns in Punjab, with rival parties frequently accusing each other of failing to address the issue. At the time of his comments, there was no immediate response from the BJP to the allegations made during the rally.
His statements are expected to add to the political contestation surrounding drugs and public safety ahead of upcoming elections, where the issue is likely to remain a major point of discussion among political parties and voters alike.
