The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab leaders and volunteers protested outside the GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) office in Mohali against the ED raids, gheraoing the ED (Enforcement Directorate) teams and raising strong slogans against the BJP-led Central Government. A large number of AAP Karyakartas participated in the protest, which was led by AAP Punjab Working President and MLA Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi. The protest echoed with slogans of, “Jab Jab Modi Darta Hai, Police Ko Aage Karta Hai”.
AAP's Punjab Working President Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi stated, “The election season is approaching in Punjab, but for the BJP it means ‘Enforcement Directorate (ED) season’ because it wants to suppress and put pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They believe that the more they harass AAP, the more our attention will be diverted towards this issue and away from campaigning.”
He continued, “The BJP had also tried to influence the elections in Delhi and is now doing the same thing in Punjab, thinking that just as it won the elections in Delhi, it will win here as well. The BJP wants to ensure that the Aam Aadmi Party government is not formed again in Punjab, because if AAP forms the government again in Punjab, the BJP will feel threatened.”
Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi stated, “Despite prolonged raids and investigations, the Enforcement Directorate has so far found nothing. Just before the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, an attempt is being made to put pressure on the state through the use of Central agencies. As the elections in Punjab are approaching, the Enforcement Directorate’s activity has suddenly increased.”
During the protest, AAP leaders stated that the timing and manner of the ED’s action was merely an unsuccessful attempt to intimidate and threaten government officials. They said that the continuous Enforcement Directorate raids ahead of the elections were a sign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s panic.
Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi said, “The people of Punjab and AAP Karyakartas will not tolerate the BJP’s high-handedness at all.”
