This isn’t one-day fight, it’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’; we must eliminate drugs from every village to secure our children’s future: Manish Sisodia
Punjab E News: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Prabhari and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, while addressing party leaders, MLAs, block in-charges and officials in Amritsar under the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, asserted that “MLAs must take full responsibility and ensure daily accountability of every village to make Punjab drug-free.” He called for an uncompromising, mission-mode fight against drugs across the Punjab, underlining that AAP’s very foundation is rooted in struggle and sacrifice, not power or privilege.
Addressing a packed gathering, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said, “The Aam Aadmi Party was born out of a 14-day fast at Jantar Mantar, supported by Arvind Kejriwal ji, all of us, and many of you. This is not a party formed in drawing rooms to enjoy power, become MLAs or ministers. This is a party born out of struggle, and we have never given up courage.”
Recalling the challenges faced by the Delhi government, he stated, “After forming the government in Delhi, the first attack came from the Central Government. When Arvind Kejriwal became Chief Minister, we began acting against corruption at every level, from tehsildars to SDMs, with zero tolerance. The Centre felt threatened and took away the Anti-Corruption Branch from the Delhi Government. Later, even the power to transfer officers, from IAS officers to teachers and peons, was taken away. Despite all powers being snatched, we continued to work and delivered results.”
He added, “Even after losing powers, we built schools and hospitals that had never been seen in India before. We implemented electricity and water policies that became examples. Arvind Kejriwal could have said he cannot work without powers, but he delivered. That is why people of Delhi gave him 62 out of 70 seats in 2020.”
Manish Sisodia also spoke about the political targeting of AAP leaders, stating, “To break this image of honesty, Narendra Modi ji tried to brand Arvind Kejriwal as corrupt. Satyendar Jain was arrested in a false case despite leaving his company years earlier. I was also accused in a so-called liquor scam. First they said ₹10,000 crore, then ₹1,000 crore, then ₹100 crore, and in court it became zero. The court said there is no case at all.”
Calling for resilience, he said, “You must have courage. This is not a one-day fight. This is a long battle. You are born on the land of Gurus and martyrs. You must draw strength from that. Today we are fighting not for ourselves but for our children. Can you guarantee that 10 years from now your child will not fall into drugs? The only guarantee is that we together make Punjab drug-free.”
Addressing MLAs and local leadership directly, the AAP Punjab Prabhari said, “If drugs are being sold in even one village or one ward, you should not be able to sleep. Why does an MLA not call their block in-charge and ask what is happening? Why does an MLA not go personally to the village? Responsibility cannot be avoided.”
He stressed the importance of accountability and coordination, stating, “From March 24 to March 31, meetings will be held across all blocks. Every VDC will report whether their village is drug-free or not, and to what extent drugs remain. If drugs are being sold, who is responsible must be identified. MLAs and halqa in-charges must fully support block in-charges and stand behind them.”
Highlighting the collective nature of the campaign, he said, “For the first time in Punjab, the government, police, and people are working together with integrity in a campaign like ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. Earlier, there were times when even ministers were involved in drug trade and action was taken against honest officers instead of mafias. Today, clear instructions from Arvind Kejriwal ji and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann are that no one involved in drugs will be spared.”
He reiterated AAP’s zero tolerance policy, stating, “If even a distant AAP worker is found connected to drug trade or even maintaining links with drug peddlers, they should be sent to jail. Zero tolerance in the party and zero tolerance in governance must be enforced.”
Manish Sisodia also explained the mechanism for anonymous reporting, saying, “The app designed for complaints ensures complete anonymity. Even ministers, commissioners, or the Chief Minister cannot know who provided the information. Only the action taken can be tracked. So people should report fearlessly.”
Appealing emotionally, he said, “If we cannot make every village and city in Punjab drug-free, then our being in politics is meaningless. Arvind Kejriwal feels deeply about this and says we should feel ashamed if we fail.”
He invoked the legacy of Punjab’s spiritual and revolutionary heritage, stating, “This is the land of Guru Sahibs, of service and courage. This is the land of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and Madan Lal Dhingra. Draw inspiration from them. If Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh had hesitated, where would we be today? If needed, send drug traffickers to jail 40 times, but do not stop.”
Issuing a firm message to party leaders, he said, “If you do not have the courage to take on drug mafias, then do not embarrass Arvind Kejriwal. Leave the party. This party exists to fight.”
Sharing his personal experience, he added, “CBI raided my house, checked cupboards, even tore pillows looking for money. I spent three years carrying the burden of false allegations. I was told to leave the party, break MLAs. But leaving Arvind Kejriwal means leaving honesty and the dream of building the nation through education. I did not leave, and neither should you.”
Concluding with a clear roadmap, Manish Sisodia said, “After March 31, I will personally meet block in-charges and MLAs to review progress village by village. Every constituency must present data on how many villages have become drug-free and commit timelines to eliminate drugs completely. This fight is to be won, not just fought.”
He expressed confidence that the entire team would return with a renewed resolve and deliver a drug-free Punjab through collective effort and unwavering determination.
