Punjab Govt failed on power, law and order, says Tarun Chugh
Chugh accuses Mann government of blaming officials for its own failures; announces BJP campaigns against drugs and crime
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 14, 2026: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, accusing it of failing on electricity, law and order and the fight against drugs while shifting the blame for its failures onto government officials.
Chugh alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government was unable to take timely decisions and was making officials the scapegoats for its own “incompetence and failure”.
He also rejected the government’s explanation that the power crisis was linked to coal availability. “First, coal was made an excuse, and later it turned out that there was surplus coal,” Chugh alleged.
Claiming that Punjab had been left as a power-surplus state by the previous government, Chugh said the situation had now deteriorated, with industries facing difficulties and frequent power cuts affecting employment.
He alleged that power shortages were hurting farmers, industries and workers and accused the Mann government of pushing Punjab towards unemployment and economic distress.
Chugh said previous governments had taken steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply, while the BJP had promised to make Punjab a power-surplus state. He alleged that the present government had instead pushed the state backwards.
BJP to launch four anti-drug, law-and-order yatras
Chugh also announced a BJP campaign covering four yatras against drugs and deteriorating law and order in Punjab.
According to him, BJP national president Nitin Nabin will launch a yatra from Pathankot, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will lead one from Fatehgarh Sahib. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will lead another from Fazilka, while Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the fourth from Bathinda.
Chugh said the BJP would use the campaign to raise issues related to drug abuse, extortion, gangsters and attacks on political and government establishments.
He alleged that people were being threatened, gangs were collecting extortion money and incidents involving attacks on BJP offices and security establishments were taking place. He accused the state government of trying to suppress such issues.
‘Centre will eliminate drugs like Naxalism’
Chugh said the BJP was already working against drugs through rallies and awareness programmes across districts.
He said the Centre was taking strict measures against drug trafficking and claimed that the government would eliminate the drug menace in the same way it had tackled Naxalism.
The BJP leader also targeted the Congress, describing the party as “divided” and “arrogant”. He alleged that Congress had failed to take action against its leaders despite controversial caste-based remarks.
Chugh said the people of Punjab were looking for an alternative political voice and claimed that the BJP’s campaign would raise issues directly affecting the state’s security, economy and social fabric.