By Punjab politics has entered a new phase with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching its statewide “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra” on September 18, 2026. The campaign focuses on the issue of drug abuse in Punjab and comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
The BJP has planned four simultaneous or staggered yatras that will collectively travel nearly 4,000 kilometres and cover all 117 Assembly constituencies in the state. The campaign is scheduled to conclude in Jalandhar on September 30, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address the concluding rally.
What Is the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra?
The “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra” is a statewide campaign organised by the Punjab BJP around the issue of drug abuse.
The BJP has presented the initiative as a campaign against drugs and has said it wants to turn the issue into a broader public movement. The party has also linked the drug issue with concerns about law and order and governance.
The campaign is taking place in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections, giving the issue an important political context.
When Did the Yatra Begin?
The first yatra began on September 18, 2026, from the Pathankot area.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to flag off the first procession from Ekta Sthal at Madhopur in Pathankot’s Sujanpur area.
Three additional yatras are scheduled to begin on September 19, 20 and 21 from different parts of Punjab.
Four Routes Across Punjab
The BJP has planned four major routes:
- Pathankot: First yatra beginning September 18.
- Fatehgarh Sahib: Second yatra beginning September 19.
- Fazilka: Third yatra beginning September 20.
- Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda: Fourth yatra beginning September 21.
Together, the four routes are expected to cover nearly 4,000 km and reach all 117 Assembly constituencies.
The yatras will eventually converge in Jalandhar on September 30.
Why Is the Drug Issue Important in Punjab Politics?
Drug abuse has been a recurring political and public-policy issue in Punjab for many years.
Political parties have repeatedly made drug prevention, rehabilitation, enforcement and employment for young people part of their election campaigns.
The BJP’s latest campaign is therefore bringing an established political issue back into statewide focus ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.
The party has also organised a programme called “Mawan Mangdian Jawab”, where families affected by drug-related deaths shared their experiences publicly. According to reports, around 50 affected families participated in the programme.
What Is the BJP Proposing?
BJP leaders have discussed a broader approach to tackling the drug problem rather than relying only on policing.
Party leaders have proposed greater coordination between agencies and institutions involved in drug enforcement, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The BJP has also spoken about employment and opportunities for young people as part of a wider approach to reducing the impact of drug addiction.
These are political proposals made by the party and their implementation would depend on future government decisions and policies.
BJP’s Political Campaign Ahead of 2027
Although the BJP has described the yatra as a campaign against drugs, its timing places it directly within Punjab’s pre-election political environment.
The party is preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections and has said it intends to contest all 117 Assembly seats independently. BJP leader Tarun Chugh recently discussed the party’s approach to Punjab politics and said the drug issue would be one of the major subjects of its campaign.
The statewide nature of the yatra gives the BJP an opportunity to interact with voters across different regions of Punjab.
AAP Announces Its Own Statewide Outreach
The BJP’s campaign has been followed by a separate statewide outreach plan from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
AAP has announced that it will begin a door-to-door campaign on September 20. According to the party, around 2.68 lakh workers will participate across the state’s 25,332 polling booths.
The campaign is intended to present the Punjab government’s report card and strengthen the party’s grassroots organisation ahead of the next Assembly election. These are claims made by AAP leaders about their government’s performance and campaign strategy.
Political Activity Intensifies in Punjab
The two statewide campaigns indicate that political activity is already increasing well before the 2027 Assembly election.
The BJP is using the drug issue as the central theme of its statewide yatra, while AAP is preparing a door-to-door campaign focused on the government’s work and organisational outreach.
Other political parties are also expected to respond as the election cycle approaches.
The coming months could therefore see greater public debate around drug prevention, law enforcement, employment, governance and development in Punjab.
Security Issue During the Yatra
The launch of the BJP campaign also saw a reported confrontation involving BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu near Batala.
Bittu alleged that unidentified people surrounded his convoy and threw stones and eggs at vehicles while he was travelling towards Pathankot. He further alleged that some people involved were linked to the ruling AAP.
These allegations have been reported by the media, but the claims about who organised or directed the incident remain allegations and should not be treated as established facts without an official investigation.
Police were asked to investigate the incident, and security arrangements for political leaders and the yatra have become another issue surrounding the campaign.
What Happens Next?
The four BJP yatras will continue through different parts of Punjab over the next several days.
The campaign is scheduled to cover all 117 Assembly constituencies before reaching Jalandhar on September 30.
At the same time, AAP’s statewide outreach is scheduled to begin on September 20, creating a period of increased political activity across the state.
The September 30 concluding rally in Jalandhar is expected to be another major political event, with Amit Shah scheduled to address the gathering.
Why This News Matters
Punjab’s drug issue has been part of the state’s political discussion for several election cycles. The latest BJP campaign places the subject at the centre of its statewide political outreach ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
For voters and political observers, the important developments to follow will include the parties’ proposed policies on drug prevention and rehabilitation, enforcement measures, employment initiatives, and the competing campaigns as the election approaches.
Conclusion
The launch of the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra marks a significant increase in political activity across Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The BJP’s four yatras are planned to cover nearly 4,000 kilometres and all 117 Assembly constituencies before concluding in Jalandhar on September 30.
With AAP also beginning a statewide outreach campaign from September 20, Punjab is entering a period of intensified political engagement. The coming months are likely to bring greater public discussion around drugs, governance, employment, law and order and other issues affecting the state.
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