Baltej Pannu, spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party, immediately blamed the BJP for the crisis, arguing that the party was part of the previous government that failed to curb drug use.
Sunil Jakhar, former Punjab BJP chief, cited families in Abohar whose children fell victim to drugs, demanding accountability from the Mann administration; a mother there said her 17‑year‑old son was lost to addiction.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticized both the Centre and the state, pointing to cross‑border smuggling and drone trafficking as systemic culprits.
The drug epidemic, which has plagued Punjab for over a decade, saw the Akali‑BJP rule from 2007 to 2017 – a period that critics say set the stage for current challenges.
BJP plans to launch its "Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra" on Friday, aiming to rally public support and pressurise the Mann government.