In the wake of the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a drug-related case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has underscored his party’s unwavering commitment to the INDIA alliance, while emphasizing that individuals involved in drug-related activities will face consequences.
During a press conference, Kejriwal stated, “We are fully committed to the INDIA alliance. We will not separate from the alliance under any circumstances. I have learned that the Punjab Police arrested some Congress leader yesterday. I do not have its details; Punjab Police will provide those. But we have waged a war against drugs. I would not like to comment on any individual case or person, but we are committed to ending drug addiction. In this battle against drugs, no matter how influential or insignificant a person may be, they will not be exempt.”
Sukhpal Singh Khaira was apprehended by the Punjab Police at his Chandigarh residence in connection with a 2015 case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The Punjab Congress has criticized the Bhagwant Mann government, alleging that Khaira’s arrest is politically motivated.
Punjab Congress senior leader Partap Singh Bajwa condemned Bhagwant Mann’s actions, stating, “Mann thinks he will be in the government forever, but he is wrong; everyone has to go, and his government will also go.”
Punjab Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring characterized Khaira’s arrest as a form of vendetta politics and expressed concerns about Khaira’s treatment while in custody.
In response to the opposition’s allegations, Punjab AAP spokesperson Jagtar Singh Dyalpura maintained that the Mann government has a zero-tolerance policy against drug smugglers and argued that there is substantial evidence against Khaira, including international links in the case.
Khaira’s arrest is likely to strain relations between AAP and Congress, who have formed the INDIA alliance at the national level. The Punjab state unit of Congress has opposed any collaboration or seat-sharing arrangement with AAP in Punjab.
