Ludhiana: Union home minister Amit Shah will attend Dussehra celebrations at Daresi ground in Ludhiana on Tuesday, after meeting families of people killed after raising their voices against drugs.Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sareen announced Shah’s visit in a statement on Monday.




The visit has prompted BJP functionaries to step up preparations at Daresi ground, one of Ludhiana’s oldest Dussehra venues, located in the congested heart of the city. Former Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu also arrived in Ludhiana on Monday evening to review arrangements.




The Daresi fair draws large crowds, with footfall rising sharply during the evening Ravan Dahan ceremony. Shah’s visit is expected to add a political dimension to the annual event, with BJP leaders mobilising at short notice after the announcement.




Sareen said the BJP had pledged to make Punjab drug-free by Dec 31, 2029, if the party formed the govt in the state.




Shah is visiting Daresi ground for the second time. On Feb 13, 2022, he addressed a rally there ahead of the Punjab assembly elections . The area was cordoned off by police and shops remained shut due to security arrangements.