Kapurthala : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday questioned the BJP-led Union Government over the continued flow of narcotics through ports in Gujarat and other parts of the country, arguing that responsibility for tackling the drug menace cannot be placed solely on Punjab.
Responding to criticism of his government’s handling of drug trafficking and addiction, Mann said political parties accusing Punjab of failing to control the problem must also account for their own record. He challenged the BJP to explain how drug consignments allegedly continued to enter the illicit supply chain through Gujarat and other locations despite the party being in power in both the state and at the Centre.
In his statement, the Chief Minister maintained that the drug trade was a wider national challenge requiring coordinated action across state boundaries, rather than selective criticism of one state. He argued that those questioning Punjab’s performance should also address the effectiveness of enforcement and surveillance mechanisms in areas under their own administration.
Mann said Punjab would not allow its reputation to be damaged by what he described as politically motivated allegations that overlooked the broader dimensions of narcotics trafficking. He stressed that the fight against drugs required accountability from every government and agency responsible for preventing the movement, distribution and sale of illegal substances.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed political debate over Punjab’s persistent drug problem, which has remained a major public concern under successive state governments. His comments also reflect the growing political contest over responsibility for the crisis as parties prepare for the next Punjab Assembly elections.
Punjab shares an international border with Pakistan, making cross-border smuggling a significant security concern. However, the wider narcotics supply chain also requires vigilance at ports, transport corridors and distribution networks across the country. Effective coordination between state police forces, central agencies and border-security authorities is therefore essential to disrupt trafficking networks and bring major suppliers to justice.
Mann’s challenge to the BJP adds another dimension to the ongoing political dispute over drugs, shifting attention towards the Centre’s role in national-level enforcement and the responsibilities of other states. His remarks, however, do not by themselves establish the scale or specific routes of drug trafficking through Gujarat; such claims require verification through official seizure records and investigation findings.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab’s image should not become a political target while the country continues to grapple with narcotics trafficking. The larger challenge, he suggested, is to move beyond mutual accusations and ensure that governments at every level are held accountable for measurable action against drug networks.
As the political debate intensifies, the key question remains whether cooperation between the Centre and the states can deliver sustained results in dismantling supply chains, strengthening enforcement and reducing the harm caused by drugs to families and communities.