A renewed political controversy has erupted around the 'War Against Drugs' campaign launched in Punjab last year. The state's governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, has initiated a drug-free movement under this name, yet the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has distanced itself from the governor’s campaign. This political split has arisen despite the governor emphasizing that all leaders, regardless of party affiliation, were invited to join the anti-drug initiative.

The drug-free journey undertaken by Governor Kataria has faced scrutiny following its arrival in Ferozepur on February 9, where leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal participated, while members of the AAP and Congress opted out. During the campaign's progression through Fazilka, Kataria expressed disappointment over the limited participation of political leaders, stressing that various actions are being taken by the Punjab government to combat drug addiction in the state. He highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Punjab police in confiscating significant quantities of drugs entering from other states and across borders.

The campaign emphasizes Punjab's struggles with drug abuse and addiction, which have been escalating concerns for years. The political disagreement over this initiative reflects the broader challenges in effectively addressing the drug crisis in the region, suggesting that while the campaign seeks to unify efforts against substance abuse, it is becoming a platform for political maneuvering instead.