BJP Faces Trust Deficit in Punjab Despite Rising Vote Share and Drug Focus

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently met three families affected by drug abuse in rural Punjab, an area where the Bharatiya Janata Party has traditionally struggled to gain a foothold. The BJP has made the drug crisis its primary political pitch in the state, holding anti-addiction marches and pointing to the heavy toll taken by heroin and pharma drugs. However, the state has seen many past campaigns against drugs, leaving residents skeptical of new promises.

Political Challenges and Strategy

Leaders from the ruling Aam Akadi Party and the opposition Congress frequently question why the BJP-led Centre has not stopped drugs from crossing the border managed by the Border Security Force or arriving through Kandla port. Since parting ways with the Akali Dal in 2020 and welcoming several former Congress leaders into its ranks, the BJP increased its vote share to 19 percent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, though it did not win any seats. The party has also worked to broaden its appeal among Sikhs by commemorating figures like Guru Tegh Bahadur and instituting Veer Bal Diwas.

Impact of Activist Killing

The campaign gained poignant focus following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot by a chemist after questioning the sale of banned drugs. Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, a retired soldier, refused financial compensation offered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, demanding justice instead. During Amit Shah's visit, Bhim Singh welcomed the Home Minister to his home and saluted him upon his departure, demonstrating a disciplined soldier's approach amid intense media attention.

Context

Drug addiction remains a severe social and economic challenge across parts of northwestern India, often linked to cross-border trafficking routes. Political parties frequently use the issue in campaigns, but turning voter sympathy into electoral gains depends heavily on addressing deep-seated public mistrust regarding governance and border security.