Major Political Push: BJP Anti-Drug Campaign Set to Kick Off in Punjab on September 18

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the launch of a 13-day statewide campaign, titled the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, starting September 18. The initiative aims to address the state's drug menace while serving as a strategic mobilization drive ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. The multi-pronged campaign will feature four large ceremonial chariots (raths) departing from distinct historical and religious locations across the state. The main chariot will be flagged off by BJP National President Nitin Nabin from Ekta Sthal in Pathankot on September 18. Subsequent legs of the campaign will commence from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on September 19, the Sadqi Border in Fazilka on September 20, and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on September 21. All four sub-yatras will converge in Jalandhar for the grand finale on September 30, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend as the chief guest for the concluding event. Under the banner slogan “BJP da naara, nasha mukauna saara” (BJP's slogan: eradicate drugs completely), the party aims to cover all 117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab, targeting an outreach to over 30 million people. As part of the schedule, a party delegation is also set to visit Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, to pay homage. Politically, the yatra signifies the BJP's effort to expand its independent voter base in Punjab. Highlighting the party's intent, the national leadership has directed local units to prepare for contesting all 117 seats independently. Any potential discussions regarding a future coalition with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are expected to take place only after the conclusion of this campaign. The campaign will incorporate Union Ministers, prominent political figures, and film personalities. The initiative will explicitly involve families impacted by drug addiction. Each featured chariot will display anti-drug messaging alongside portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National President Nitin Nabin, and Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon. During the journey, party leaders will visit rehabilitation centers, distribute pledge forms (Sankalp Patra), and display posters highlighting administrative lapses.To coordinate logistics, the party has established 30 specialized internal departments and planned dedicated media outreach programs. A comprehensive outline and detailed roadmap of the campaign strategy will be officially disclosed on September 13.Speaking on the upcoming campaign, Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon stated that the drive aims to unite the people of Punjab in a movement against substance abuse. Asserting that the state government has failed to control the drug problem, Dhillon emphasized that the campaign will directly engage affected families, neighborhoods, and villages to build mass public support against the issue.