New Delhi: Highlighting the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday hit out at Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi stating he is dreaming of forming a Congress government in Punjab again.


“Can a CM, who cannot provide a secure route to the Prime Minister of India, provide security to Punjab?” he asked addressing a rally in Ludhiana.


Shah said a lax government in Punjab can neither protect Punjab nor the country.


“Can Punjab be safe under the leadership of Charanjit Singh Channi?” he asked.


ALSO READ: Elections 2022: Shiv Sena Voices Support For Akhilesh Yadav, Aaditya Thackeray To Visit UP


The Union Home Minister also used the occasion to lambast Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal.


“Kejriwal ji has nothing to do with security…If this goes on, we will give a free hand to all the terrorists,” he said, adding only the BJP-led NDA government can protect Punjab.


Asserting Prime Minister Modi is committed to protecting the nation, Shah said the terror strikes from the other side of the border during the Congress-led UPA regime has ended under the rule of the present government.


Stating religion conversion is a “big problem” in Punjab, Shah said: “Channi Sahib cannot stop the conversion, if someone from Kejriwal ji’s party becomes the chief minister, he too cannot stop the conversion. If the BJP government comes, those indulging in the same will be seen outside Punjab.”


The Home Minister also used the occasion to reach out to the family members of the armed forces personnel.


“The son of every household in Punjab is in the military services. The soldiers were demanding ‘One Rank One Pension’ for the last 40 years. But the Congress did not find a solution to the issue. Modi government implemented the ‘One Rank One Pension’,” he added.


Shah further said the BJP is committed to eradicating the drug menace in Punjab.


“Under the leadership of Modi ji, we have launched a huge campaign against drugs. The cache of drugs seized by the Indian government in 2020 and 2021 was not even caught in 10 years,” he said.


The Home Minister said the BJP on forming the government in Punjab will establish branch offices of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in four cities of the state.


“We will form a task force in every district of the state for drug prevention,” he added.


Shah countered Kejriwal’s claims of making Punjab a drug-free state.


“After sinking entire Delhi in alcohol, you come to Punjab and say that we will make it free from drugs. Can they make Punjab drug-free?” he asked.


The BJP is contesting the Punjab Assembly elections in alliance with Punjab Lok Congress led by former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).


The Congress, which is seeking to retain power in Punjab, has announced incumbent Charanjit Singh Channi as its chief ministerial candidate.


The Shiromani Akali Dad (SAD) is contesting the polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).


Kejriwal-led AAP has also been campaigning aggressively in Punjab.


Voting for the Punjab Assembly will be held in a single phase on February 14. The results will be declared on March 10.