Drug network increased sixfold in three years of Cong rule, alleges BJP; targets Priyank Kharge

Bengaluru, Sep 1 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, alleging that the drug network in the state had increased sixfold since the new Karnataka government came to power.

In a post on social media platform X, Ashoka urged Kharge to focus on his department instead of “creating unnecessary controversies”.

“Instead of creating unnecessary and irrelevant controversies, please pay some attention to your department,” Ashoka said, targeting the Home Minister.

Citing purported figures on students allegedly caught in the drug network, Ashoka claimed that the number had increased from 36 in 2024 to 228 by July 2026.

“After your incompetent government came to power, the drug network in Karnataka has increased sixfold in the last three years. The number of students caught in the drug network, which stood at 36 in 2024, has risen to 228 by July 2026,” Ashoka alleged.

Referring to a report in this regard, Ashoka further said, “Earlier, students used to procure drugs from peddlers and consume them. It is concerning that, in recent days, students have themselves become drug peddlers. In 2024, 36 students were arrested in connection with such offences. The number increased to 59 in 2025 and, by July 2026, it had risen to 228.”

Of the 228 students, 177 are from Bengaluru. The total number of arrests in connection with drug peddling has reached 189, Ashoka said, quoting the report, he added.

Ashoka questioned the police department over the alleged involvement of school and college students in drug peddling.

“If school and college students are being turned into drug peddlers, what has your police department been doing?” he asked.

He also accused the government of sacrificing the future of Karnataka’s youth to the “ganja mafia” and questioned the party’s moral right to speak about the welfare of young people.

Ashoka urged the government to constitute a task force headed by an efficient police officer to crack down on the alleged drug mafia.

“Form a task force under the leadership of an efficient police officer and take stringent action against the drug mafia. Protect the future of the youth of our Kannada land,” he said.

Ashoka also asked Priyank Kharge to resign as Home Minister if he was unable to tackle the alleged drug network.

“If you cannot do it, resign from the post of Home Minister and go home,” Ashoka said.

–IANS

mka/rad