A closed door meeting during the Governor led “Drug Free, Vibrant Punjab” campaign has triggered intense political speculation
Governor-Led Drug Campaign in Ferozepu
A closed door meeting during the Governor led “Drug Free, Vibrant Punjab” campaign has triggered intense political speculation in the state after Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria was joined by Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dera Beas chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon and senior Ashwani Sharma of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Ferozepur.
Sources said the interaction, held on the sidelines of the anti drug outreach, has created a strong buzz about the high possibility of renewed ties between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal. Although no official statement was issued regarding the deliberations, the convergence of influential religious and political figures has drawn sharp attention in Punjab’s evolving political landscape.
Badal, who joined the campaign, highlighted the significance of the initiative in a post on X. “It was an honour to join Hon’ble Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria in Ferozepur for the inspiring ‘Drug Free Vibrant Punjab’ campaign,” he wrote.
In the same message, the Akali leader took a swipe at rivals, stating that unlike the previous Congress governments and the current Aam Aadmi Party administration, which he alleged offered only lip service on the drug crisis, the Governor was leading by example by travelling village to village and city to city with true commitment.
He further said the Shiromani Akali Dal fully supports the mission and pledges maximum contribution towards eliminating narcotics from the state. Addressing the people of Punjab, Badal asserted that once the Akali Dal forms the government in 2027, it would “completely eradicate drugs and gangsters.”
Political observers view the Ferozepur meeting as significant, especially given that the SAD and BJP ended their decades long partnership in 2020 amid the turmoil over the farm laws. Any indication of fresh engagement between the two parties is therefore being closely watched.
While leaders have remained tight lipped about the purpose of the meeting, its timing alongside a high visibility campaign has ensured that political circles remain abuzz. If backchannel talks translate into a formal alliance, analysts believe it could substantially alter the electoral arithmetic in Punjab ahead of the next Assembly polls.
