Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
Jalandhar, September 30, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday made a major anti-drug pledge while addressing a public rally in Jalandhar, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would work to eliminate the illicit “chitta” trade from Punjab by December 31, 2029, if the party forms the government in the state.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the BJP's statewide anti-drug campaign, Shah placed the drug issue at the centre of the party's political pitch ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
Amit Shah Sets December 31, 2029 Deadline
During his speech, Shah said the BJP would make a drug-free Punjab a major priority and pledged that the illicit trade in “chitta”, a term commonly used in Punjab for certain synthetic narcotics, would be wiped out by the end of 2029 under a BJP government.
The Union Home Minister addressed his message particularly to Punjab's youth and families affected by drug abuse, presenting the pledge as one of the BJP's key commitments to the state.
The declaration came as the BJP intensified its campaign around the issue of drug abuse, which has emerged as a major political and social issue ahead of the next Punjab Assembly election.
BJP's ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ Concludes in Jalandhar
Shah's rally marked the culmination of the BJP's Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, which began on September 18.
The campaign travelled nearly 4,000 kilometres and covered all 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab through different routes before concluding in Jalandhar.
The BJP has used the statewide campaign to highlight drug abuse and trafficking as one of its principal issues ahead of the Assembly polls.
Shah also targeted the ruling Aam Aadmi Party during his address and accused the state government of failing to adequately control the drug problem. These allegations are political claims made by the BJP and have been disputed by AAP leaders.
AAP Questions BJP's Anti-Drug Campaign
Responding to the BJP's campaign, AAP Punjab president Aman Arora questioned the BJP's record on the drug issue and pointed to the period when the BJP was part of the SAD-BJP government in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
Arora also questioned the handling of earlier investigations related to major drug cases and asked why the BJP was raising the issue prominently now.
AAP representatives have separately argued that the Bhagwant Mann-led government has taken substantial action against drugs during its tenure.
Congress MLA Pargat Singh has also questioned the Centre's role in preventing interstate and cross-border drug trafficking and called for greater clarity about the responsibility of central agencies.
Drug Issue Takes Centre Stage Ahead of Punjab Elections
Punjab's drug problem is increasingly becoming one of the central political issues ahead of the Assembly election, with the BJP, AAP, Congress and other parties presenting competing claims over responsibility and proposed solutions.
The BJP's statewide yatra and Shah's Jalandhar rally indicate that the party intends to keep the drug issue prominent during its campaign.
Shah's announcement of a December 31, 2029 deadline is likely to remain a significant campaign commitment as political parties intensify their outreach across Punjab.
For voters and families affected by drug abuse, attention will now remain on the specific policies, enforcement measures, rehabilitation programmes and anti-trafficking actions proposed by the competing parties.
For permission to reuse our original reporting or images, contact The Jalandhar Times.
