Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the Centre’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade in Punjab by December 31, 2029, drawing a parallel with the government’s claim that it has ended Naxalism.

Speaking at a Vijayadashami event in Ludhiana on Tuesday, Shah said the fight against narcotics would continue until the drug trade was eliminated. He also called on the Punjab government to transfer two additional cases involving people who had opposed the drug menace to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Shah’s remarks came during his visit to Punjab, where he met families affected by deaths linked to the state’s drug problem.

Amit Shah sets 2029 deadline for drug-free Punjab

Addressing the gathering in Ludhiana, Shah said the government had fulfilled several of its commitments, citing the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A, progress against terrorism and the end of Naxalism.

He said the next priority was to eliminate the drug trade.

Shah reiterated his resolve to eliminate Punjab’s drug trade by December 31, 2029, describing the commitment as a tribute to three people whose families he met during his visit.

The Home Minister urged people to share information about the drug trade through the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll-free helpline, assuring them that the Modi government would take action on the information received.

Shah seeks CBI probes into two more cases

During his Punjab visit, Shah met the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Shah met the families and assured them that action would be taken in the cases.

Shah referred to the case involving Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, which had been transferred to the CBI. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer the two other cases, associated with Sangrur and Gurdaspur, to the central agency as well.

The Home Minister said the investigations should establish accountability, adding that influential people involved in the cases would not be spared.

Shah criticises Punjab government over drug menace

Shah accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab of failing to control the drug trade. He also criticised the state administration over the treatment of people who had raised concerns about narcotics.

Referring to the spread of ‘chitta’, a term commonly used for heroin in Punjab, Shah said the drug trade had reached villages across the state.

He argued that people speaking out against the menace were facing serious consequences, including death and suicide, and called for stronger action against those responsible.

The Punjab government and the individuals referred to in the allegations should be given an opportunity to respond to specific accusations.

Shah maintained that the Centre would use its available resources to pursue the cases and work towards ending the drug trade in Punjab by the end of 2029.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has come under fire from BJP leaders over a social media post referring to the reported burning of Albania’s Supreme Court. His remarks, in which he suggested that countries should learn from the unrest in Albania, particularly India, triggered accusations that he was encouraging disorder and threatening constitutional institutions.

The BJP criticised Raut’s comments and demanded an apology. The controversy prompted the Rajya Sabha MP to clarify his position, asserting that he has faith in India’s Supreme Court and believes the judiciary can play a crucial role in safeguarding the country.

What Sanjay Raut said about Albania

In a post on X on October 19, Raut referred to reports of the Supreme Court building in Albania being set on fire during protests. He claimed that people were angry because the court was helping a prime minister facing corruption allegations.

Raut also referred to attacks on Albania’s parliament, government offices and ministers’ residences. He said countries should draw lessons from these developments, specifically referring to India.

His remarks drew criticism from BJP leaders, who interpreted the post as an inappropriate comparison between the unrest in Albania and India’s political and judicial institutions.

BJP leaders demand an apology

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan strongly criticised Raut’s language, describing it as indefensible and accusing him of making remarks that threatened India’s constitutional institutions.

Kesavan compared the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader to Mir Jafar, accusing him of using language that undermined the country’s institutions and democratic mandate.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also attacked Raut, alleging that his remarks reflected support for anarchy and that he was targeting constitutional institutions.

Somaiya said the public would not accept attempts to encourage disorder in the country. He also referred to a contempt petition involving Raut in the Supreme Court and said the matter would be addressed there.

The BJP further demanded an apology from Raut, questioning the message conveyed by his reference to the burning of Albania’s Supreme Court.

Sanjay Raut clarifies his position

Responding to the criticism, Raut said his remarks were intended as a warning about the possibility of growing disorder if the current government remained in power.

He urged the Supreme Court to take note of the situation and maintained that he had faith in the institution.

Raut said the Supreme Court was the institution capable of saving the nation and argued that the situation could lead to chaos if concerns were not addressed.

His clarification came amid the political row over whether his reference to the unrest in Albania amounted to an endorsement of violent protests in India.

Congress leader Udit Raj backs Raut’s remarks

Congress leader Udit Raj expressed support for Raut’s position and raised questions about bail decisions in prominent cases.

Referring to Umar Khalid, Raj questioned why bail had been denied to him while other individuals had received bail. He argued that courts should provide reasoned orders explaining such decisions.

His comments added a judicial dimension to the political debate surrounding Raut’s remarks.

Shiv Sena leader rejects the prospect of violence

Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey also responded to the controversy, rejecting any suggestion that India should experience violence, arson or widespread disorder similar to incidents reported in other countries.

Invoking the occasion of Vijayadashami, Dubey said that righteousness, justice and truth ultimately prevailed over their opposites.

He asserted that India would not descend into conditions involving violence and destruction, referring to unrest in countries including Albania, France, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The remarks highlighted the political disagreement over how unrest abroad should be interpreted in the Indian context.

The controversy has centred on Raut’s reference to Albania’s unrest, the BJP’s accusations and the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP’s subsequent clarification that he continues to have faith in the Supreme Court.

Congress has stepped up its preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with Priyanka Gandhi taking a leading role in discussions over a possible seat-sharing arrangement with the Samajwadi Party (SP).

The Congress general secretary held a three-hour meeting with Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders on Monday to discuss constituency allocation ahead of negotiations with the party led by Akhilesh Yadav. Around 175 constituencies were discussed during the meeting, according to the report.

Congress is eyeing approximately 125 seats in the proposed alliance. Party insiders have indicated that another meeting between Priyanka Gandhi and state leaders is scheduled for this week, after which the party may submit a list of 125 to 150 constituencies to the SP.

The two parties are aiming to finalise their seat-sharing arrangement by November, although the negotiations have yet to produce a final agreement.

How Congress is preparing its seat-sharing proposal

Congress has prepared a preliminary list of constituencies divided into three categories based on its assessment of potential electoral prospects.

The list includes around 100 Category A seats, 40–50 Category B seats and 25–35 Category C seats. The party’s internal discussions have focused on identifying constituencies where it believes it has a reasonable chance of winning.

Congress is also using electoral data from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to develop its strategy.

One of its objectives is to contest at least one Assembly constituency within each of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha constituencies.

The party’s wishlist includes all 80 parliamentary constituencies where Congress either led in Assembly segments or finished second in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The report states that Congress led in 38 Assembly segments and stood second in another 42.

Congress won six of the 17 Lok Sabha seats it contested in Uttar Pradesh in 2024 while fighting in an alliance with the SP.

The proposed list also includes constituencies associated with Congress leaders Ajay Rai, Ajay Lallu, Supriya Shrinate and Nadeem Javed.

Why Congress and SP may disagree on seats

Despite both parties appearing positive about continuing their alliance, their expectations for seat allocation remain different.

Congress is considering a proposal covering 125 to 150 constituencies. However, party insiders indicate that the SP is not keen on allocating more than 60–65 seats to its ally.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly emphasised the winnability of candidates as a key consideration in deciding how seats should be distributed. He has also begun finalising candidates for several constituencies as the party prepares to contest around 350 of the state’s 403 Assembly seats.

Meanwhile, Congress’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge, Rajendra Pal Gautam, has maintained that his party deserves at least 150 seats in the alliance.

The difference between the two sides’ reported expectations could become a central issue in the upcoming negotiations.

Congress eyes Amethi, Raebareli and Saharanpur

Congress is also seeking a claim to constituencies that are currently represented by SP MLAs, including seats in Amethi, Raebareli and Saharanpur.

The party is additionally eyeing around a dozen constituencies won by the SP, according to the report.

However, Congress’s electoral performance in the Assembly segments of Amethi and Raebareli presents a challenge.

In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Congress failed to win any of the five Assembly segments within the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP won three, the SP secured one, and a BJP-supported independent candidate won the remaining seat.

In Raebareli, the SP won four of the five Assembly segments, while the BJP won one. Congress did not win any of the five seats.

These results highlight the distinction between parliamentary constituencies associated with Congress and the party’s performance in the corresponding Assembly contests.

Leadership changes ahead of the 2027 polls

Congress has also reorganised its Uttar Pradesh unit as part of its preparations for the next Assembly election.

The party appointed Aradhana Misra as the new president of its state unit, replacing Ajay Rai. Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood has been appointed working president.

Aradhana Misra, a three-term MLA, is considered to have a good rapport with Akhilesh Yadav. The appointment comes as Congress works towards addressing differences with the SP and strengthening its position in the state.

Masood’s deployment in Uttar Pradesh also signals the party’s focus on Muslim voters, who account for nearly 18% of the state’s electorate, according to the report.

Priyanka Gandhi is expected to play a pivotal role in the negotiations with Akhilesh Yadav. She had also led Congress’s campaign in the 2022 Assembly elections, when the party contested independently and won just two seats.

With discussions continuing and the parties yet to settle on a seat-sharing formula, the coming weeks are expected to be important for the proposed Congress-SP alliance ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.