The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab appears to be preparing a political counter-offensive as the BJP sharpens its attack on the Bhagwant Mann government over the drug menace. It also comes amid speculation over a possible revival of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. In a politically significant move, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has written to the Enforcement Directorate, seeking registration of a case and investigation into an alleged Rs 736.96-crore money laundering trail involving senior Akali leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia.
The BJP has made drug use a central plank of its campaign against the Bhagwant Mann government, accusing it of failing to break the supply chain and control the spread of addiction. By bringing the alleged financial trail of an Akali leader in spotlight and referring the matter to a Central agency, the party is seeking to remind voters of the allegations surrounding the previous SAD-BJP government while questioning the BJP’s stance on action against its potential political ally. Investigation findings shared by the state government claim that the alleged process involved three stages: Generation of funds, layering through multiple financial channels and integration into assets. The move also allows the Mann government to project the state Vigilance Bureau’s investigation as an effort to pursue the alleged proceeds of crime and seek central agency intervention. Majithia has denied the allegations and disputed the government’s commentary on the case. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
The timing of the communication has raised eyebrows, as the AAP government is facing sustained criticism from the BJP over its failure to eliminate drugs from Punjab, one of the key promises on which it came to power in 2022.
Its statewide “Nasha Mukt Punjab” campaign covering all 117 assembly constituencies, has also sought to mobilise public opinion against drug trafficking and hold the state government accountable.
