Sunil Jakhar Seeks Early Model Code in Punjab, Cites Drug Crisis
Chandigarh, October 29: Punjab BJP leader Sunil Jakhar has formally asked the Governor to request the Election Commission to impose the Model Code of Conduct in Punjab as soon as possible, citing a sharp decline in law and order.
Jakhar said that in the interest of free and fair Assembly elections, people must be able to vote without fear. He argued that the Model Code of Conduct should be enforced quickly to make this possible.
He also announced that the BJP would approach the Election Commission of India in the coming days to press for the immediate enforcement of the code. The former state party chief warned that if the current government continued in power for an extended period, the atmosphere would become so hostile that holding peaceful and transparent polls would be nearly impossible.
Jakhar shared details of the Abohar anti-drug marathon, which had been held annually for years and attracted thousands of young people to campaign against drug addiction. This year, he said, the government revoked the permission for the event in writing, claiming that the environment was not favourable and that poor law and order made the programme impossible.
He described the state's law and order situation as deeply alarming and said no citizen was safe. While drugs were taking the lives of young people, he claimed, the drug mafia had become so brazen that anyone raising their voice against narcotics was being silenced with gunfire.
Jakhar said killings were taking place openly across Punjab, touching nearly every district and town, from the holy city of Amritsar to Tarn Taran, Khemkaran, Gurdaspur, Hargobindpur, Mansa, Abohar, Sangrur and Ludhiana.
Sharply criticising the government, he alleged that police forcibly carried away the bodies of children who had died due to drug abuse. He added that those who protested against drugs or sought redress from the government were either met with police repression or pushed toward suicide.
Attributing these incidents to a deliberate strategy of the AAP government, Jakhar pointed to statements by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia. He said Sisodia had reportedly admitted that the party would adopt any method to win elections, including persuasion, inducements, punishment, social division, confrontation, and the use of truth or falsehood. Jakhar claimed that under this plan, officials loyal to the government were appointed, while criminals and gangsters were either brought into the party or given protection.
He further alleged that the Chief Minister's office had become a centre of corruption and that Punjab was bearing the cost of this approach.