Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
Jalandhar, September 30, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the residence of Punjab BJP vice-president and former Jalandhar mayor Rakesh Rathore on Wednesday and shared lunch with party leaders and members of Rathore’s family during his visit to Jalandhar.
Rathore and his family welcomed Shah at their residence. Photographs from the meeting showed Shah seated for the meal alongside senior BJP leaders, including Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, Sunil Jakhar and Rakesh Rathore.
The lunch meeting formed part of Shah’s engagements in Jalandhar, where he arrived to participate in the concluding programme of the BJP’s statewide Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra.
Amit Shah's Jalandhar Visit
Earlier during his visit, Amit Shah paid obeisance at the historic Tripurmalini shrine located within the Shri Devi Talab Mandir complex in Jalandhar. Security arrangements had been put in place around the temple and other locations connected with his visit.
Shah later addressed the BJP’s anti-drug rally at Paragpur near Jalandhar.
The programme marked the culmination of the party’s 13-day Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, which began on September 18 and travelled through all 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab, covering approximately 4,000 kilometres through multiple routes.
Anti-Drug Campaign Takes Centre Stage
The BJP has used the statewide yatra to highlight drug abuse and trafficking as a major issue ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
During the Jalandhar rally, Shah said that if the BJP forms the next government in Punjab, it would work to eliminate the illicit “chitta” trade by December 31, 2029. The statement was presented by Shah as a political commitment during his address.
Political parties in Punjab have presented competing claims about responsibility for the state’s drug problem and the effectiveness of various anti-drug measures, making the issue a significant part of the political debate ahead of the election.
Against this backdrop, Shah’s visit to Rathore’s residence provided a more informal moment during a day dominated by political meetings, religious engagements and the anti-drug rally.
Rakesh Rathore has been involved in preparations connected with the September 30 programme and was among the Punjab BJP leaders who participated in organisational meetings ahead of Shah’s Jalandhar visit.
The visit concluded a high-profile day of BJP activity in Jalandhar as the party formally wrapped up its statewide anti-drug campaign.
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