Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has criticized Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for his controversial drug addiction comments, saying he was trying to malign the youth of Punjab.

During his recent visit to Punjab, Rahul had said that 70 per cent Punjab's youth were addicted to drugs, and had held the state government responsible for the increase use of drugs in the state.

In sharp reaction, Harcharan Bains, advisor to Punjab Chief Minister on media & national affairs, called Rahul a "national joke," while Badal rubbished Rahul's statement and said that Gandhi is trying to slander Punjab's youth, specially the Sikh youth.

Hitting back at Rahul, he added, "Congress's policy was first to dub our youth terrorists. Now, they want to put the stigma of drugs on them. Before making such allegations, he should look at the rape cases in a state ruled by his party."

The Shiromani Akali Dal leader also tried to defend his government by saying that Punjab is a border state and thus contraband is smuggled and travels through it, but security of international border is not the responsibility of the state government.

Badal also alleged that the Congress was trying to divert voters' attention from the long list of recent scams.