Have broken back of drug syndicates in Punjab: Capt

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today claimed his government’s anti-drug task force was “close to major results and has broken the back of drug cartels in the state”. He was answering queries as to why he had not been able to root out the drug menace within a month of assuming power, as promised by the Congress.

“Since we came to power, 1,400 peddlers have been arrested. We need to reach the sharks. Our team says we are close to major results. I cannot say today if there is a political nexus in Punjab’s drug trade. The law will take its course. I have ordered there should be no vendetta. Heroin prices are already up 60 per cent, which means markets have been compressed. We have broken the back of Punjab’s drug cartels,” he said.

Meanwhile, dismissing predictions of Congress’ doom, the CM said the party must declare CM candidates in all poll-bound states — Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka — and must groom regional leaders.

Speaking with The Tribune, he said he favoured a consensus on the name of Congress president as “consensus binds the party together”.

Asserting that Rahul Gandhi was ready to take over the party reins, he said: “I have dealt with him for two years. I think he is up to it… One must not write him off. He is perceptive and wants to know about everything.”