The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, stating that the people of the state would take action against its leaders in the upcoming Assembly polls. This response followed Enforcement Directorate (ED) search operations against Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. Arora was reportedly arrested post the ED raids.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha accused the AAP of betraying the people’s mandate in Punjab. He highlighted incidents during the ED raid, including the throwing of around Rs 21 lakh cash from a balcony and alleged fund round-tripping through companies in the UAE, Canada, and Australia. Chadha also mentioned the significant debt of Rs 5 lakh crore on the AAP government in Punjab.
Punjab BJP Vice-President Fatehjung Singh Bajwa likened the AAP’s rule in Punjab to a prisoner counting days in prison, emphasizing alleged corruption within the government. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the timing of the Central government’s actions, expressing concerns over delays and the potential politicization of the case. The Punjab LoP claimed that approximately Rs 25 to 30 crore had been siphoned off.
AAP MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra defended Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora, attributing the arrests to the BJP’s discomfort with AAP’s positive work in Punjab. Jouramajra criticized the BJP-led Central leadership for targeting AAP leaders to prevent their return to power in Punjab. Meanwhile, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel equated the AAP government in Punjab with the BJP-led Central government, alleging misuse of power in both regions through agencies like the Vigilance Department and ED.
