Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Jalandhar on Wednesday, set December 31, 2029, as the BJP's deadline to make Punjab free of 'Chitta' and other synthetic drugs if the party forms the government in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Shah arrived at Shri Devi Talab Mandir in a Toyota car accompanied by Punjab BJP president Kewal Dhillon. He was received at the temple by former MLA KD Bhandari, where he paid obeisance before leaving for the rally venue.
His helicopter departed from the helipad at 1:12 pm for Paragpur village on the Phagwara-Jalandhar highway, where the anti-drug rally was being held. Before addressing around 50,000 BJP workers and supporters, Shah was scheduled to meet families affected by drug abuse in a green room behind the rally stage.
Shah said the BJP would contest the 2027 elections with a drug-free Punjab as one of its key agendas. Addressing the state's youth, he said that if they voted for the BJP and the party formed the government, it would eliminate the supply of 'Chitta' by December 31, 2029.
"I make a promise to the youth of Punjab... we will rid Punjab of 'Chitta' before December 31, 2029," Shah said at the rally.
He also addressed the mothers of Punjab, saying those involved in supplying 'Chitta' would be identified and sent to jail. Shah said Punjab could not develop fully until its youth were free from drug addiction.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Shah questioned its spending and election promises.
Shah further highlighted the contribution of Punjabis to India's independence and national defence, saying soldiers from Punjab have made significant sacrifices for the country.
Before reaching the rally venue, Shah paid obeisance at Shri Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar. His visit marked the conclusion of the 'Nashamukt Punjab Yatra', the BJP's drug-free Punjab campaign.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vikram Sahney described the day as "historic", saying four anti-drug yatras were being launched and programmes would be held across villages, towns and cities in Punjab. He said Shah would meet affected families and assess the ground situation related to drugs, which he alleged were being sold widely in the state.
The rally was held amid heightened security after a bomb threat was received before Shah's arrival. According to police, an email was sent to some schools which claimed that an IED had been planted under the rally stage.
Police said the email also contained threats targeting schools across the city, Shri Devi Talab Mandir and buses. Security agencies remained on alert in view of the threat and the Home Minister's visit.
