After its ongoing chain hunger strike which failed to compel the SAD-BJP led State Government to handover multi-crore drug racket case to the CBI, Punjab Congress would now take its agitation against drug menace to the grass roots level.
The decision in this regard would be taken after the State Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa discuss the idea, suggested by the heads of the party’s district and block units, with the senior party leaders. “The State Government has been ignoring Congress’s demand for a CBI investigation into the multi-crore drug racket unearthed in the State, in which a Punjab minister’s name has figured prominently,” Bajwa said, during a meeting of district and block level Congress leaders on
Tuesday, the 10th day of chain hunger strike. He added, “The name of Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia had figured prominently and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not ordered investigation by CBI due to fear of involvement of more members of his Cabinet and family.” The rise in crime in Punjab was a direct fallout of nexus between drug smugglers, politicians and police, he said.
The district and block presidents prevailed upon Bajwa to spread the anti-drug agitation to micro-level as people in the villages were most affected because of drugs. Accepting their proposal, Bajwa said that he would take up the matter with senior leaders of the party. “I will discuss the matter with all senior leaders of the party in this regard and final decision will be taken in a day or so,” he said. He also asked the local leaders to gear up for lok Sabha elections in which issue of drugs would be made the top agenda.
He asked them to hold monthly meetings of DCC and BCC and collect feedback on local issues, besides forming 11-member booth level committees and submit lists before February 15. Bajwa said that the PPCC would make full use of social media and internet to reach out to the people on issues like drugs, corruption, unemployment, sand and liquor mafia, taxes, besides highlighting achievements of UPA Government.