The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action at the premises of Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, calling it yet another example of the BJP-led Central Government’s blatant misuse of central agencies to intimidate opposition leaders and destabilise non-BJP governments.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, while addressing the media, called out the central government for “continuously strangling democracy.” He questioned the selective targeting by central agencies, stating, “Why are ED raids conducted only in those states where BJP is not in power? Those who raise their voice for people’s rights and work for public welfare are either served ED notices or sent to jail.”
The Punjab CM asserted that such tactics would not succeed in silencing democratic voices. “Democracy cannot be crushed through fear and pressure. From the revolutionary land of Punjab, I want to make it clear that wherever there is injustice, we will stand firm against it. This is not a fight of an individual, but a fight to protect our Constitution and the country, and this battle will continue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora maintained a composed stance and reaffirmed his faith in due process. “As a responsible citizen, I will fully cooperate with the agencies and I am confident that the truth will prevail,” he said.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “BJP is misusing the ED to threaten governments in non-BJP states. Using ED to pressure opposition leaders has now become their political strategy to suppress every voice of dissent. This is extremely dangerous for our democratic traditions.” He further added that BJP’s politics is based on “intimidation, threats, and capturing power at any cost.”
On the other hand, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO echoed similar concerns, highlighting the timing of such actions. “Whenever elections approach, BJP suddenly remembers the ED and raids begin at the homes of opposition leaders. Whether it is Sanjeev Arora or MP Ashok Mittal, the target is always those who politically disagree with BJP. This is not investigation, but politics of vendetta,” he said. He warned that weaponising central agencies poses a serious threat to democracy, pushing the country towards authoritarianism.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh termed the raid a “blatant abuse of agencies” aimed at crushing AAP Punjab. “Such tactics have always failed to destroy us. They only make us stronger. Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party is the true national opposition and a real alternative to BJP,” he asserted.
AAP Punjab leaders unanimously stated that the people of the country are witnessing how central agencies are being misused to silence opposition voices. The party reaffirmed its commitment to stand firmly against what it described as “politics of fear and vendetta,” vowing to continue its fight to safeguard democracy and constitutional values.