The Ferozepur Vow Can Sukhbir Badal Actually End Punjab’s Drug Crisis

In a high-octane campaign rally in Ferozepur, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has launched a scathing attack on the current administration, making a bold "do-or-die" promise to the people of Punjab. With the state's future at stake, Badal has vowed that if brought to power, his government will completely eradicate the twin menaces of drugs and gangster culture within a strictly defined timeframe.

A Battle Cry from the Border Belt

Ferozepur, being a sensitive border district, has long been a focal point for discussions on cross-border drug smuggling. Sukhbir Badal’s choice of this location for his "vow" is strategic. Addressing a massive gathering, he claimed that the law and order situation in Punjab has collapsed, with businessmen living in fear of extortion calls and the youth falling prey to the "chitta" (synthetic drugs) epidemic.

The "SAD Model" of Law and Order

Badal reminded the voters of the previous Akali regime, asserting that during their tenure, the police had a "free hand" to deal with criminals. He promised a return to that "iron-fisted" approach, focusing on:

Breaking the Supply Chain: Targeting the "big fish" in the drug trade rather than just small-time addicts.

Dismantling Gangster Syndicates: Vowing to end the culture of "prison-run" gangs that have recently made headlines in the state.

Border Security: Demanding better coordination between state and central agencies to seal smuggling routes.

Political Stakes

The SAD is currently fighting a crucial battle to regain its lost ground in Punjab. By putting the focus back on Security and Drugs, Sukhbir Badal is attempting to tap into the primary anxieties of the Punjabi household. He accused both the AAP and the Congress of failing to fulfill their previous promises regarding the drug menace, labeling their efforts as mere "photo-ops."

Will the Vow Resonate?

The challenge for Badal lies in convincing a skeptical electorate that has seen similar promises from every political party over the last decade. However, the sheer intensity of his campaign in Ferozepur suggests that the Akali Dal is putting everything on the line, positioning themselves as the only "Panthic" and "Pro-Punjab" force capable of restoring peace.

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