Chandigarh, February 25, 2025 – Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Aman Arora took a sharp dig at the Congress, accusing it of hypocrisy over corruption allegations. He urged Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa to clean his party’s own record before making accusations against others.
Arora’s remarks came in response to a news report from a leading English daily, which revealed a letter by a retired Enforcement Directorate officer to the Union Finance Minister. The letter claimed that an investigation into the 2020 Tarn Taran illicit liquor tragedy, which killed 130 people, was abruptly halted when links to at least 10 Congress MLAs, a former minister, and close aides of the then Chief Minister were discovered.
“Pot Calling the Kettle Black”
Slamming the Congress for its stance on corruption, Arora said, “This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.” He challenged Bajwa, asserting, “Our intentions are pure, and we are open to an investigation by any committee.”
Arora was responding to allegations raised by Bajwa during Zero Hour in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha regarding a complaint registered with the Vigilance Bureau. He reaffirmed the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, stating that AAP would not shield anyone involved in corrupt practices, regardless of political affiliation.
AAP Defends Vigilance Bureau’s Integrity
Arora also dismissed objections from Bajwa regarding the Vigilance Bureau’s jurisdiction under the state government. He criticized Congress for questioning the Vigilance Bureau’s credibility while simultaneously citing its cases.
“Our government supports the formation of any assembly committee to investigate corruption cases,” Arora said. “We also advocate for similar committees to probe past corruption under previous regimes.”
Minister ETO’s Example of Integrity
Highlighting an instance of ethical governance, Arora praised Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO for refusing undue favors.
Arora recounted how Minister ETO helped a sheller owner complete pending work. When the owner later offered him a box of sweets and a bag of rice, Minister ETO politely declined the rice, advising that it be given to someone in need.
Furthermore, upon learning that a bribe of ₹7 lakh had been taken from the sheller owner for the work, Minister ETO ordered the district SSP to ensure the money was returned immediately. He warned that failure to do so would result in legal action against the perpetrator.
Congress Under Fire
Arora cautioned opposition leaders against making baseless accusations without substantial evidence, as such actions weaken public trust in the political system. He asserted that allegations should not be used merely for political gains but must be backed by credible proof.
With the AAP government vowing to uphold transparency, the political battle over corruption in Punjab is set to intensify, with both parties positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
