The public has not forgotten how the drug trade flourished under the patronage of those in power.

Opposition’s Outrage Over ‘Village Defense Committees’ Oath-Taking Reflects Their Pro-Drug Mindset: Baltej Pannu

Chandigarh, 16 February 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab’s State Media Incharge Baltej Pannu launched a sharp counterattack on the questions being raised by the opposition regarding the oath-taking ceremony of the Village Defense Committees held at Killi Chahl in Moga. Pannu said that the opposition is so troubled by the steps being taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab drug-free that they have started creating noise without any reason.

Pannu said that the opposition parties who are today crying over the use of government money have perhaps forgotten their shameful history. Reminding them, he said that those who are talking about government funds today should tell, when your governments were in power, was ‘chitta’ not supplied in government vehicles? The public has not forgotten how the drug trade flourished under the patronage of those in power. He said that the AAP government is spending the people’s money to eliminate drugs and save Punjab’s future, not to provide shelter to smugglers.

Taking a jibe at the opposition’s frustration, Baltej Pannu said that in the Moga program, only the members of the Village Defense Committees had come so far, a few aware citizens from every village have taken an oath. When, under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh 2’, entire villages unite and come out against drugs along with them, then what will be the condition of these opposition parties.

Pannu said that the second phase of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign will certainly be successful because today every Punjabi wants a drug-free Punjab, but if anyone does not want it, then it is only the opposition parties, because as soon as drugs are eradicated, their political shop will shut down. He made it clear that the Mann government will not spare any person who plays with the future of Punjab’s youth.