"99% drug-free Punjab?": BJP leader questions CM's bold claim amid 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' launch

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 17 (ANI): Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Saturday questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's claim that 99 per cent of Punjab's villages were drug-free, calling the assertion unrealistic and misleading.
In a post on X, Jakhar wrote, "99% - Really Maan Sahib?" directly challenging Mann's statement.
Jakhar reacted after CM Bhagwant Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national Convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched the 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' from Jalandhar on Friday and made sweeping claims about the state's success in curbing drug abuse.
Meanwhile, while flagging off the campaign, Bhagwant Mann said, "Today in Jalandhar, along with national Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, I started the 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' as part of the 'War against Drugs' campaign. I made people take an oath to not let drugs be sold in their area."

He further said that under the campaign, a Gram Sabha would be held in every village and ward of the state, and everyone, including Zila Suraksha Samitis, villagers, health, panchayat and cooperative departments would be involved.
"Public participation is extremely important. We appeal to every citizen of the state to participate enthusiastically in this mission so that this holy land of Gurus, Pirs and Martyrs, Punjab, can be made drug-free again," he added.
CM Mann praised the people of Jalalpur village for their role in the fight against drugs, stating, "The contribution made by the people of village Jalalpur in the 'war against drug addiction' campaign is highly appreciated."
He also announced incentives for such efforts: "We have no dearth of money for those who participate in the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan of Punjab and declare their village drug-free. Special grants will also be given for the development of drug-free villages."
Taking a dig at past regimes, Mann said, "The rulers of the previous governments made agreements with drug traffickers and pushed Punjab into the swamp of drugs and made the hearths of the houses cold."
He claimed that the AAP government had prepared a roadmap in three years and forced the drug traffickers to flee Punjab in just two months.
He added that the government was now working to "root out the remaining seed" of the drug menace. (ANI)