Opposition March, Electoral Rolls and Attacks on Constitutional Bodies

At the India Today Conclave South, a panel on Gen Z's political voice explored the issues shaping young voters and their growing influence on Tamil Nadu politics. TVK spokesperson M Sathya Kumar attributed the party’s reported 68 per cent support among Gen Z voters in the last Assembly election to Vijay’s focus on jobs, better governance, government efficiency and direct communication with young people. He said Gen Z was seeking “truthful conversations”, integrity and values from political leaders, adding that Vijay’s messaging had resonated strongly with this generation. BJP’s Anil K Antony offered a different perspective, arguing that the BJP’s recent electoral performance reflected continued support among younger voters. He pointed to the growth of startups, high-technology sectors and employment opportunities, saying the party would continue working with the younger generation. Congress leader KS Shabareenathan, however, said issues such as graduate unemployment remained inadequately addressed and argued that young voters were increasingly looking for leaders who demonstrated honesty, integrity and an understanding of their concerns. CJP South India In-Charge Vijay Reddy Mallangi linked the growing political engagement of young voters to broader concerns, including the credibility of the electoral process. Referring to the protests at Jantar Mantar, he said sustained efforts had driven the mobilisation and suggested similar protests could emerge elsewhere. The panel, which brought together representatives from TVK, BJP, Congress and CJP, highlighted how employment, governance, political integrity and trust in electoral institutions are becoming central to the political engagement of younger voters.

Addressing a public rally in Jalandhar at the culmination of the Bharatiya Janata Party's 13-day yatra covering 117 assembly constituencies, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the party will contest the upcoming Punjab elections solely on the plank of creating a drug-free state. Pledging to eliminate the synthetic drug trade by 31 December 2029, Shah assured mothers and youth that zero illicit drug trade would remain under BJP governance. He contrasted the national seizure figures between the previous Congress administration and Narendra Modi's tenure, noting a jump from 26 lakh kilograms to 1.20 crore kilograms of seized narcotics. Criticising Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party government, Shah alleged severe administrative failures, unfulfilled promises regarding jobs, mohalla clinics, and minimum support price implementation, alongside lack of enforcement under the PIT-NDPS Act and NCORD meetings. He urged the people of Punjab to grant the BJP an opportunity to restore security and economic prosperity.

An unidentified speaker addressed the public in Punjab, raising concerns over the state's financial condition and alleging widespread corruption across multiple civic and rural schemes, including smart city initiatives, advertising contracts, and land unions. The speaker questioned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding unmet commitments, including employment targets, establishment of clinics, widow pensions, medical colleges, and agricultural Minimum Support Price implementation. The address heavily focused on the drug problem in the state, alleging that enforcement under the narcotics control framework has been lacking and questioning the lack of state coordination meetings. Urging the electorate to back the Bharatiya Janata Party, the speaker promised comprehensive measures to eradicate the drug menace by December 2029, set up regional Narcotics Control Bureau infrastructure, support farmers, and revive industrial growth.

Addressing a public gathering in Jalandhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party will contest the upcoming Punjab elections on the single agenda of making the state drug-free. He promised that if the party is voted to power, Punjab will be completely rid of the illicit chitta trade before 31 December 2029. Criticising the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party government for allowing the narcotics business to operate openly, he stated that strict action would ensure no drug peddler is spared and offenders are put behind bars. Highlighting the central government's nationwide anti-narcotics campaign under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he compared enforcement statistics, stating that seizures rose significantly from 26 lakh kilograms worth 40,000 crore rupees under the United Progressive Alliance regime to 1.2 crore kilograms valued at 1,90,000 crore rupees between 2014 and 2024. Shah asserted that only the BJP holds the resolve to eliminate drugs and safeguard Punjab's youth.