Punjab leaving behind drugs: Manish Sisodia at AAP Youth Wing's 5k run in Jalandhar

Jalandhar: AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia on Sunday said the Youth Run Punjab 2026 held here under the government's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign by the party's youth wing showed how the state is moving forward by "leaving behind drugs".

Thousands of youngsters and sportspersons participated in the 5-kilometre run, which was flagged off by Sisodia and Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghumman, a statement released here said.

They later distributed cash prizes of up to Rs 11,000 to the winners.


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Addressing the gathering, Sisodia said the event was much more than a race covering a few kilometres. "This marathon is the voice of a Punjab that is moving forward by leaving behind drugs, despair and the mindset of giving up," he said.

The party statement said under Mann's leadership, Punjab is leaving behind its old 'Udta Punjab' image and emerging as a 'Khelta-Daudta Punjab' on the strength of its youth.

Sisodia said Punjab's youth are increasingly choosing sports, fitness and constructive pursuits, adding that the participation of thousands of young people demonstrates their energy, enthusiasm and determination to move in the right direction.

"Those who once described Punjab as 'Udta Punjab' are now seeing a Punjab that runs, plays and moves forward," the former Delhi minister said, congratulating the AAP Youth Wing and all the participants.

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AAP Punjab Youth Development Board chairman Parminder Singh Goldy said the overwhelming participation in the marathon reflected the growing enthusiasm among Punjab's youth to contribute towards building a 'Rangla Punjab'.

"The AAP Youth Wing had been continuously working to mobilise young people across the state and connect them with constructive activities," he added.

AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu alleged that previous governments had pushed Punjab's youth towards drugs, while the Mann government was working to bring them towards sports and education.