# Punjab political disputes over drug crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/punjab-political-disputes-over-drug-crisis
> Updated: 2026-09-29T03:49:48.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Political tensions in Punjab have intensified as major political parties exchange accusations regarding the state’s narcotics and alcohol crisis.

In late September, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of involvement in drug smuggling through the Gujarat border. Cheema alleged the BJP is “drowning the youth of the entire country in drugs” and claimed the drug problem in Punjab is “almost finished” under the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, contrasting this with the 2007–2017 Akali Dal-BJP coalition.

Following these claims, the political standoff expanded. AAP representative Anurag Dhanda further linked the narcotics spread to the previous Akali Dal-BJP coalition and criticized drug-related issues in other BJP-ruled states. In response, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of betraying the public and failing to fulfill promises to end drug use, alleging that the current administration has worsened the state’s alcohol and drug problems.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Punjab political parties trade accusations over drug crisis

Political parties in Punjab are exchanging accusations over the state's drug crisis, with AAP blaming previous BJP-Akali coalitions and SAD accusing the current AAP government of failing to act.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/punjab-political-parties-trade-accusations-over-drug-crisis

### 2026-09-22: Punjab Minister accuses BJP of drug smuggling via Gujarat border

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the BJP of involvement in drug smuggling through the Gujarat border, claiming the party is undermining the youth while AAP works to end the drug menace.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/punjab-minister-accuses-bjp-of-drug-smuggling-via-gujarat-border

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Cite as: Punjab political disputes over drug crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/punjab-political-disputes-over-drug-crisis