Shiv Sena Charges BJP with Enabling Drug and Alcohol Trade Ahead of 2029 Deadline

A recent editorial by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of actively protecting drug traffickers, liquor manufacturers and tobacco vendors in Maharashtra. The article described the government's ambition to declare the state drug‑free by 2029 as "hypocritical" and a "political stunt".

The piece cited the 2014 ascent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the parallel rise of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, arguing that both leaders have overseen a period during which illegal narcotics networks have expanded unchecked. It referenced earlier busts of illegal drug labs in Nasik, Pune and Satara, alleging that the subsequent investigations were muted by the state home department.

Shiv Sena urged citizens to watch the 2029 timeline closely and demand accountability if the target is missed. It also condemned BJP politicians for mocking demonstrators who marched against the growing abuse of substances, describing the party as "desperate for publicity".

The editorial further noted that many sugar‑mill owners have entered the liquor business under BJP patronage, raising questions about the political will to penalise these operators. It concluded that Maharashtra's fight against drugs must also address the corruption and money that fuel the trade, calling for a decisive break from the alleged protection offered by the ruling party.