States » NorthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 12:42AM


Sachin Pilot meets slain Punjab anti-drug activist's family, accuses BJP of election-time politics

Chandigarh, Oct 16 (UNI) Congress leader and Punjab affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot today met the family of slain anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh, popularly known as Jhota, in Mansa and accused the BJP of raising the state's drug problem only when elections were approaching, while criticising the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over deteriorating law and order.
Pilot, who arrived in Punjab on a five-day visit ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's proposed tour, said both the Centre and the state governments were merely going through the motions in responding to the activist's killing.
"The BJP remembers Punjab's drug problem only when elections approach," Pilot told reporters, questioning why the party had failed to address the issue when it shared power with the Shiromani Akali Dal in the state.
He also accused the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to curb drug trafficking and violent crime.
"The Aam Aadmi Party has completely failed on drugs and law and order. People are being shot in broad daylight," Pilot said.
Jhota, who had campaigned against suspected drug trafficking in Punjab, was shot dead in Mansa on October 13. His killing has sparked protests, with his family demanding a CBI investigation and accountability from senior state officials.
Pilot said Congress would stand by the bereaved family in its pursuit of justice.
"We will assure the family that the Congress party stands firmly with them. We will fight alongside them, from the streets to the courts," he said.
The Congress leader said the time for meetings and assurances had passed, calling for accountability over the state's security situation.
Pilot's visit also comes amid reported differences within the Punjab Congress following organisational changes, including the removal of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as state party president.
Seeking to play down suggestions of factionalism, Pilot said the state unit remained united and that he was in regular contact with Warring.
"The Punjab Congress is completely united," he asserted, saying that people in the state were looking forward to the formation of a Congress government.
During his five-day tour, Pilot is expected to visit 11 districts, meet families affected by gangster-related violence and interact with party workers and leaders to assess organisational preparations ahead of the next assembly elections.
His visit is also expected to provide an opportunity to address internal differences before Rahul Gandhi's proposed Punjab programme.
Pilot had praised Warring as a "fighter" ahead of the visit, amid reports of dissatisfaction among some party leaders over recent leadership changes.
The BJP and AAP did not immediately respond to Pilot's latest criticism.
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