Rajnath Singh makes election promise to end drug menace in Punjab 

Rajnath Singh accused AAP of making false promises; condemned CM Channi’s remark on “bhaiyas” from U.P.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a rally in Amritsar, supporting BJP candidate contesting from Amritsar Central, Dr. Ram Chawla. Singh assured voters that if BJP is elected to power, all Centre-sponsored schemes shall be fully implemented in Punjab. He made a solid appeal to voters to keep Congress and AAP away from ruling power in the State. 

Singh further targeted the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party concerning the issue of drugs and alcohol. He said, “You know one has looted Punjab. The other which claims that it would form a government here, ask what have they done in Delhi.”

Alleging AAP to sporting a hypocritical stance, Singh points out that the AAP has opened liquor shops in every street of Delhi. Thus, according to him, AAP’s promise of wiping out drugs in Punjab is nothing but a false promise. 

Asserting that the BJP can ensure a drug-free Punjab, Singh stated, “If any party can do that (make Punjab drug-free), it is only the Bharatiya Janata Party. We will see to it who has the guts to indulge in drug trade when the BJP comes to power in the State.”  

Singh also spoke of an alleged “wind of change” sweeping Punjab ahead of the elections. At election meetings in Amritsar, Nangal in Anandpur Sahib, and Moga, Singh spoke of the winds of change sweeping the State and that people will not allow “loot tantra” to continue anymore.  

Singh took recourse to cricket analogy to take a dig at the Congress. He said, “As far as the Congress is concerned, you know that two people want to bat together, and none of them wants to be on the non-striker’s end.”

Making an apparent jab at former cricketer and Congress Chief of Punjab, Navjot Singh Sindhu, and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Singh said, “When two batsmen bat at one crease, it is certain that they will be out and no one can stop that.”

Both Sidhu and Channi were contesting over the chief ministerial candidate from Punjab. The party finally declared Channi their candidate for the top ministerial post.  

CM Channi’s recent controversial remark where he appealed to voters to not let “bhaiyas” from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi enter Punjab was not left unanswered by Rajnath Singh. Singh recalled the message of Guru Nanak Dev as one of love, tolerance, and universal brotherhood and expressed his wish for a casteless society in the State.

Singh’s criticism also turned fiery as he issued a challenge: “We shall see who dares to stop people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from coming to Punjab.”  

The term “bhaiya” is a derogatory slang used in Punjab to denote migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar working in Punjab.  

Rajnath Singh asserted that Punjab, a border state, requires a strong government that can deal with cross-border security threats. Rajnath Singh also paid his respects at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple in Amritsar on his campaign visit. 

Edited By : Atreyee Chakraborty

Published By : K. Bindhiya Prarthana