Punjab: Opposition accuses AAP government of failing to curb drugs

A stormy start to Punjab's six-day assembly session, and the first day of proceedings lasted barely ten minutes, with the House adjourned until Friday. Outside the assembly, Congress legislators staged a protest against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They accused his government of failing to tackle drug trafficking and gangsterism. And now, another political battle is brewing over the state's anti-sacrilege law. law. Ten minutes, that's how long the first day of Punjab's six-day assembly session lasted. The house began with obituary references paying tribute to former lawmakers, public figures and eight victims of a road accident in Sangrur. But instead of taking up the scheduled business, Speaker Kultar Singh adjourned proceedings until Friday and the opposition was already on the offensive outside the Vidhan Sabha. Congress legislators burned an effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They're charging that the Aam Aadmi Party government has failed to curb the drug menace and rising gangsterism. Leader of the opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, accused the government of evading questions about law and order. The killing of anti-drug activist Pavinder Singh Jota is also expected to dominate the session. Congress leaders say the case raises serious questions about the safety of those campaigning against illegal drug networks. Punjab Congress President Partap Singh has also targeted the government over the alleged sale of banned capsules. He claims that despite earlier restrictions, the substances continue to be sold under different names. Singh has questioned the role of authorities responsible for regulating their sale. In 2023, Pavinder Jota caught a shopkeeper selling these capsules and I have the official notification to prove it. The Congress government banned those capsules in 2021 in several districts. Yet they continue to be sold under different names. Since the latest incident, six shops have been closed and license cancelled. I respect medical professionals, but if those responsible for public health are corrupt, who can people trust? The government here has failed. But the confrontation does not end there. Partap Singh has moved a privileged motion against Bhagwant Mann in a statement he accused him of misleading the Assembly over the 2018 anti-sacrilege bill. He alleges that the government is backtracking on a commitment to strengthen the law. Now, in the coming days, the ruling AAP is expected to defend its anti-drug campaign. River water rights, the Dam Safety Act and a proposed resolution against the Chief Election Commissioner are also on the agenda. But with the first day over in just 10 minutes, the political showdown is now also set for Friday.