Ferozepur, Feb. 11 -- Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria's anti-drug campaign sparked a major political row on Tuesday, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Opposition Congress sharply criticising the presence of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leaders in his padyatra (foot march) in this border town.

While the governor's office has called the initiative a non-partisan social movement to fight the drug menace, Sukhbir's presence at today's event fuelled speculation on political realignments ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

This is the first time Kataria's anti-drug tirade that he launched last year has been called into question for its alleged political motive.

Also in attendance at the march was th...