AAP to launch awareness programme against drug menace in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party will launch a mass awareness programme against drugs menace in Punjab soon, a senior party functionary said today.

"AAP will soon launch a mass contact programme against drugs in Punjab keeping in view ensuing 2017 assembly polls in the state," Punjab's AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur said.

The party, which had returned to power by a landslide victory in Delhi assembly polls, will consolidate its base in Punjab with an eye on the assembly elections in the state in 2017, he said.

AAP had won four Lok Sabha seats from Punjab at the last hustings.

"Now, the AAP's next poll destination is assembly elections of 2017 in Punjab," he said.

"The party has decided to motivate and to bring awareness among the masses by launching mass contact programme to motivate the people not only against drugs, but also to prepare them from 2017 poll," he said.

AAP, which had lost two by-polls -- Patiala and Talwandi Sabo -- badly recently, has decided to refrain from contesting upcoming civic bodies poll in Punjab.

He, however, said AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had directed all the four MPs of the party from Punjab to start preparation for by-poll to Dhuri assembly.

Dhuri assembly seat fell vacant recently after sitting Congress MLA Arvind Khanna resigned and decided to quit politics. The schedule for the by-poll is yet to be announced.

"There is a huge anti-incumbency against the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab, while the Congress is facing intense infighting," he said.