Just talking won’t end drug abuse, need to act: Jakhar
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar said a few days ago, on the completion of 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, he gave a challenge regarding the drug issue, in Ludhiana. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and some other AAP leaders accepted the challenge and said they would undergo dope test.
Jakhar said: “We had already caught 88,000 addicts in the past. During Captain Amarinder Singh’s government, another 55,000 were caught. Now, the present government has also caught around 35,000.”
While addressing a press conference today at the BJP election office here, the BJP leader said: “I personally know people who do not consume alcohol but are involved in the liquor business. Some cunning individuals who know they are selling poison in the form of ‘chitta’ (synthetic drugs) keep their children safe and away from it. Just because I don’t drink alcohol doesn’t mean I’ve become virtuous. By saying I’m not an addict, I’ll pass the dope test’ doesn’t prove anything — it doesn’t mean I won’t sell drugs. It isn’t a certificate of honesty. Just talking won’t end drug abuse.”
He said: “The Governor is working responsibly and creating awareness among people. The Chief Minister and the DGP keep saying they would eliminate drugs. The Governor may have good intentions but intentions alone won’t help. The Chief Minister needs to support him. The state is facing two major issues — drugs
and corruption.”
The state BJP chief while targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said: “You claimed in the Assembly that you have files of everyone and asked us to look you in the eye. But nothing has been done. No action has been taken against anyone. I don’t want to call Mann a liar but if he has the files, why doesn’t he take action? Why is he targeting only tehsildars (land revenue officers)?”
Jakhar questioned: “How is it that leaders who were running mobile repair shops till recently now own mansions along highways? These things need to be investigated. The time has come to raise awareness against corruption. Stop saying that all politicians are thieves — make thieves accountable. Ask them tough questions.”
He appealed to AAP leaders to stop fooling the people. “The government has now become a broker. It doesn’t matter who forms the government — I won’t spare anyone. Farmers are being looted. The government is preparing to sell farmers’ land at cheap rates and then sell it to builders at high prices,” he said.
“When acquiring land from farmers, four times the rate must be paid and even then, 80 per cent of the farmers must agree. The entire cost of Delhi-based AAP leaders visiting Punjab is being borne by Punjab. I urge the people of Ludhiana to vote wisely,” Jakhar added.
Ludhiana