BJP pledges drug-free Punjab by 2029 as election campaign intensifies

Addressing a large gathering in Jalandhar, Shah concluded the BJP's "Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra" (Drug-Free Punjab Campaign) with a direct appeal to the state's young voters to support the party at the ballot box. The campaign represents a significant focus on drug abuse, an issue that has long plagued Punjab and become a central political concern in the region.

The party's commitment to achieving a drug-free state within five years reflects growing public concern over substance abuse and its impact on Punjab's youth and economy. The initiative combines both enforcement and rehabilitation efforts, positioning drug control as a key plank of the BJP's electoral platform in the state.

Shah's outreach to younger voters underscores the party's strategy to consolidate support among Punjab's demographic bulge ahead of the election cycle. The "Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra" campaign has traversed multiple districts, seeking to galvanize public opinion around the drug issue and position the BJP as the party capable of addressing the challenge.

The drug problem in Punjab has persisted for decades, stemming from geographical proximity to drug-producing regions and historical trafficking routes. Successive state governments have struggled to contain the issue, making it a persistent electoral theme that resonates with voters across demographics.