The Congress party has brought Punjab’s long-standing drug problem back into the political spotlight as it begins preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. Addressing an ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur on November 4, 2026, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over what he described as its failure to control substance abuse in the state.
The rally marked the beginning of the Congress’s campaign mobilisation for the upcoming Punjab elections. Gandhi argued that the drug crisis remains one of the most serious challenges facing the state and questioned whether the AAP government had fulfilled the commitments it made before coming to power in 2022.
Congress Revisits Its Anti-Drug Campaign
During his address, Gandhi recalled that the Congress had raised concerns about the spread of drugs in Punjab several years ago. He referred to the promises made by AAP leaders during the 2022 election campaign, when the party had pledged to eliminate the drug menace.
Gandhi questioned the government’s progress and asked what areas of Punjab had become free from drugs. He also highlighted the continuing concerns surrounding synthetic substances and other narcotics, arguing that the issue requires sustained attention.
His remarks placed the drug crisis at the centre of the Congress’s political message as the party prepares to challenge the ruling AAP in the next Assembly elections.
A Look Back at Captain Amarinder Singh’s 2015 Promise
The renewed focus on the issue also brings back memories of an earlier Congress campaign. In December 2015, former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pledged to eliminate drugs within four weeks if his party formed the government.
The Congress subsequently won the 2017 Assembly elections, and Amarinder Singh became Chief Minister. However, the drug problem continued during the party’s five-year tenure, and the government did not achieve the complete eradication promised during the campaign.
This history makes the issue particularly significant for the Congress as it prepares to present its position to voters once again.
BJP Also Makes Drug Eradication an Election Issue
The anti-drug issue is not limited to the Congress and AAP. The BJP has also placed it among its priorities ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a target of making Punjab drug-free by December 31, 2029. Gandhi questioned the proposed timeline and called for accountability regarding the Centre’s efforts to address drug trafficking.
With multiple political parties highlighting the same issue, drug prevention and the effectiveness of government action are expected to remain important subjects in Punjab’s political discussions.
A Continuing Challenge for Successive Governments
Punjab’s drug problem has continued across different political administrations. The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government, the Congress government and the current AAP administration have all faced questions about the effectiveness of their efforts.
The challenge involves more than arrests and seizures. Police officials and experts cited in the Indian Express report have pointed to factors such as cross-border smuggling, pharmaceutical supply networks, unemployment, addiction and the need for better treatment facilities.
These concerns indicate that addressing the crisis requires a broader approach involving law enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and public awareness.
Congress Begins Its Road Towards the 2027 Punjab Elections
The Sangrur rally represents an important step in the Congress party’s preparations for the next Assembly elections. By bringing the drug crisis into its campaign messaging, the party is seeking to draw attention to an issue that has remained part of Punjab’s public debate for years.
However, the Congress also faces questions about its own record in government and the promises made during its previous tenure.
As the 2027 elections approach, the discussion is likely to focus not only on political commitments but also on the practical measures parties propose to address Punjab’s continuing challenges. The ability of political parties to explain their policies and demonstrate measurable progress will remain an important part of the electoral debate.
