Jakhar lashes out at Akalis

A day after deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that his government may file a petition in Madhya Pradesh High Court on opium and poppy husk cultivation in that state, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar today termed it a "political gimmick".
Jakhar asked the ruling SAD-BJP combine to first clarify its stand on the use of "synthetic drugs" in the state.
He said that Madhya Pradesh share its boundaries with all other states, then "why only youth of Punjab suffering mostly."
He alleged that the state Government is diverting the attention of the people from the real issues and also putting their failure on the shoulders of the others states in the name of poppy husk and opium cultivation, whereas the synthetic drug or white powder played "major role in spoiling the life of Punjab youth".

He said that police along with other agencies have already exposed the multi crore drug trade in Punjab and all involved people in the trade "were from the ruling political parties."
"If the drugs are entering in Punjab, it is the failure of police and state intelligence agencies," the leader of opposition in the state assembly said.

Meanwhile, Leader of opposition also questioned the contribution of the Shiromani Akali Dal for the state, when they have been enjoying power in the Centre also.
He asked the SAD that whether they raised their concern with Government of Madhya Pradesh or Central Government led by Bharitya Janta Party.

Jakhar also slammed the BJP for not taking any effective steps against the cultivation of opium and poppy husk in Madhya Pradesh.
He said that Punjab have been defamed due to the menace of drugs and BJP leaders who have lost their credibility in Punjab now have been organising prayers march against land and drug mafia in the state "just to save their skin" before the Assembly elections.