Punjab Drug Menace: SAD, Congress Seek CM Bhagwant Mann’s Resignation, Demand Harpal Cheema’s Arrest

September 8, 2026

New Delhi: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the arrest of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema following the death by suicide of a man from Sangrur district, who had publicly raised concerns over drug availability in his village.

The Opposition parties alleged that the drug situation in Punjab has worsened under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, with SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia taking a swipe at the government by claiming that the “delivery of drugs is faster than that of food”.

The remarks came after Gulzar Singh, who had questioned Cheema over the prevalence of “chitta” — a term commonly used for drugs — allegedly consumed poison. Singh had reportedly claimed that he faced pressure and intimidation after publicly raising the issue.

SAD Demands Harpal Cheema’s Arrest

Speaking to reporters, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the incident as “unfortunate” and claimed that Singh had approached the MLA of his constituency, who is also Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, seeking action over drug addiction.

Majithia alleged that Singh was threatened after the programme and was told that he could be implicated in a false case.

He also questioned whether Cheema was “above the law” and demanded his arrest, while seeking strict action in the matter.

Majithia further raised concerns over the treatment Singh received after consuming poison. He claimed that Singh was shifted between hospitals in Sangrur and Patiala before being taken to a private hospital and eventually admitted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC) in Ludhiana.

The SAD leader alleged that the incident was being “covered up” to protect Cheema.

Congress Targets AAP Government Over Drug Menace

Congress MP Amar Singh also described drugs as a “very serious issue” in Punjab and accused the AAP government of failing to control the problem.

He alleged that drugs were widely available across villages, neighbourhoods and streets and claimed that the government had failed to fulfil its promise of eliminating the drug menace.

“I believe they should resign because they have failed to resolve any of these issues,” Singh said while targeting the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann.

The BJP had also criticised the AAP government earlier in the day over the drug situation in the state.

AAP Hits Back at SAD, BJP

Responding to the Opposition’s allegations, AAP leader Anurag Dhanda said thousands of drug traffickers had been arrested and sent to jail under the current government.

He said anyone found involved in drug trafficking would face action and claimed that the AAP government would not spare those involved in the illegal trade.

Dhanda also hit back at the SAD and BJP, alleging that the previous SAD-BJP government had made deals with drug mafia members and allowed the illegal trade to flourish.

He further alleged that the same parties were now seeking to return to the period between 2007 and 2017, which he described as a “dark era” of the drug menace.