Punjab Politics Heats Up Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections as Drug Crisis Takes Centre Stage

BJP Turns Anti-Drug Campaign Into Statewide Outreach

The BJP's Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, which began on September 18, has become a major part of the party's political outreach ahead of the Assembly election.

The campaign consists of four simultaneous yatras beginning from different parts of Punjab. Together, they are expected to cover around 4,000 kilometres and reach all 117 Assembly constituencies before culminating in Jalandhar on September 30.

The BJP has presented the campaign as an effort to highlight the seriousness of drug addiction in Punjab. Along the routes, party leaders have held public meetings and interacted with families affected by addiction.

At the same time, BJP leaders have used the campaign to criticise the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government over drugs, law and order and governance.

The campaign has also generated political confrontation. AAP supporters have protested at some locations where BJP roadshows were taking place, while BJP and AAP workers have exchanged slogans.

The BJP has said it is preparing to contest all 117 Assembly seats. BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh had publicly said in August that the party would contest the Punjab election on its own, although reporting has also indicated that discussions around a possible BJP-SAD arrangement have continued at different levels.

SAD Launches Women-Led Anti-Drug Campaign

The Shiromani Akali Dal has also made the drug issue a major part of its political outreach.

On September 18, the SAD launched its Mawan Dhiyan Insaaf Yatra from Bathinda under the leadership of Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Unlike the BJP's statewide roadshow, the SAD campaign involves protest marches in different constituencies. Women from families affected by drug addiction have participated alongside members of the Istri Akali Dal.

The campaign includes the submission of memorandums at SDM offices, seeking action against the supply of drugs and greater support for families affected by addiction.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal has criticised the AAP government and also questioned the record of the previous Congress government over the drug problem.

The SAD's separate campaign is significant because the party is seeking to maintain its political presence ahead of the 2027 election (opens in a new tab) while speculation continues over its future relationship with the BJP.

The BJP and SAD were long-standing allies but separated in 2020 following differences over the farm laws. In 2026, statements from leaders of both parties (opens in a new tab) have kept speculation about a possible alliance alive, although no final electoral arrangement has been established publicly.

AAP Targets BJP-SAD Record

For the ruling AAP, the BJP's anti-drug campaign has opened another opportunity to highlight the record of previous governments.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP-SAD governments that ruled Punjab between 2007 and 2017 over the drug problem. He has also pointed towards the subsequent Congress government and argued that the issue cannot be attributed only to the current administration.

AAP's political argument has increasingly focused on the wider drug-trafficking network rather than only on drug consumption inside Punjab.

Mann has questioned the Centre's role in preventing narcotics from entering the country and has raised concerns about alleged trafficking routes and consignments seized at ports.

The BJP, meanwhile, has argued that the state government has failed to meet earlier commitments to tackle illegal drugs. These competing claims have made the drug crisis a major point of political confrontation between the ruling party and opposition parties.

Congress Focuses on Border and Trafficking Network

Congress has also used the drug issue to criticise both the Punjab government and the Centre.

Congress leaders have argued that tackling addiction requires attention to the supply chain, including alleged cross-border trafficking through drones and the movement of drugs and weapons.

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi has criticised both the Centre and the state government, arguing that the two sides should coordinate rather than blame each other while the drug problem continues.

Congress leaders have also questioned the effectiveness of political campaigns that focus primarily on slogans and rallies (opens in a new tab) calling instead for stronger action against trafficking networks and greater attention to affected communities.

Drug Crisis Becomes a Multi-Cornered Political Issue

The latest developments show that the drug crisis is no longer being raised by only one political party.

The BJP is using a large statewide yatra to make drugs a central campaign issue. The SAD has chosen a women-led mobilisation focused on families affected by addiction. Congress is raising questions about trafficking and border security, while AAP is highlighting the record of previous governments and the Centre's responsibilities.

The result is a multi-cornered political debate in which parties are presenting different explanations and solutions.

For voters, the debate is likely to extend beyond political allegations and towards questions about enforcement, rehabilitation, prevention, employment opportunities and the support available to families affected by addiction.

Political Tensions Rise Alongside Campaigning

The growing political activity has also led to confrontations between party workers and leaders.

During the BJP's Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra, BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that his convoy was attacked in Batala while he was travelling to participate in the campaign. Bittu alleged that eggs and stones were thrown at his vehicle and that people linked by him to the ruling AAP were involved. These were allegations made by Bittu and should be distinguished from an established finding of responsibility.

Days later, Bittu was detained by Punjab Police following a protest near Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit. The incident added to the growing political tensions between BJP and AAP in the state.

Such confrontations are increasingly becoming part of the political atmosphere as parties expand their public outreach ahead of the Assembly election.

Governance Remains Another Major Election Issue

Although drugs have taken centre stage, Punjab's 2027 election debate is expected to cover several other issues.

AAP will have to present its record after forming the government in 2022, while opposition parties are expected to focus on governance, employment, law and order, public finances, agriculture and welfare.

The additional time before the election could also allow the parties to strengthen their organisations and finalise their campaign strategies.

The September 2026 Census schedule has reduced the possibility of an early November election that had previously been discussed. The Census enumeration in Punjab is scheduled between December 1, 2026, and January 4, 2027, while the Assembly's term ends in March 2027.

BJP-SAD Alliance Question Remains Open

Another important factor in Punjab politics is the future relationship between the BJP and SAD.

The two parties previously worked together for many years, but their alliance ended in 2020. In 2026, BJP leaders have publicly spoken about contesting all 117 seats, while reports have also pointed to continuing discussions between BJP and SAD representatives.

Until the parties formally announce an electoral arrangement, the alliance question remains unresolved.

This could become an important part of the political calculations leading into the 2027 election because seat-sharing, candidate selection and regional political bases could influence how the major parties organise their campaigns.

What Lies Ahead for Punjab Politics?

As Punjab moves closer to the 2027 Assembly election, the drug crisis is likely to remain one of the most visible political issues.

The BJP and SAD have already launched separate anti-drug campaigns, while AAP and Congress are challenging the opposition's record and highlighting different aspects of the trafficking problem.

However, the election (opens in a new tab) debate is unlikely to remain limited to drugs. Agriculture, employment, law and order, governance, public services, welfare schemes and Centre-state relations are also expected to feature prominently in the campaigns.

The next few months will therefore be important for all four major political parties. AAP will be required to defend its record in government, Congress will seek to strengthen its opposition campaign, BJP will continue building its organisation across the state, and SAD will work to maintain and expand its political base.

With more time available before the Assembly's term ends, parties have an opportunity to develop detailed programmes and policies rather than relying only on campaign slogans.

For Punjab voters, the key political questions in the months ahead will include how each party proposes to address the drug crisis, what measures it offers on employment and agriculture, how it plans to improve governance and what role it sees for the Centre in addressing Punjab's economic and security concerns.

The 2027 Punjab Assembly election is therefore likely to be shaped by a combination of governance records, policy proposals, political alliances and campaign issues, with the drug crisis already emerging as one of the most prominent themes of the contest.

“Punjab’s 2027 political contest is increasingly centred on the drug crisis, with major parties using the issue to challenge rivals and strengthen their voter outreach. The BJP and SAD are pursuing separate anti-drug campaigns, while AAP and Congress are focusing on governance, past government records and the wider trafficking network.”

The INDIA bloc has announced a nationwide campaign over concerns related to the Election Commission and electoral processes. The Opposition plans protests, a march to the Election Commission headquarters, and a legal challenge to provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023.

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