Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having realised that Punjab has rejected the BJP, was now using central agencies to take political revenge on Punjabis and create hardship for them ahead of the elections. Senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action had disrupted government work across Punjab for three days, causing severe inconvenience to people, while the searches had yielded nothing. He said the Modi Government’s use of the ED, Income Tax Department and Election Commission against opposition states had become its trademark, but Punjab would not be intimidated and the three crore Punjabis would give the BJP a democratic reply.
In a statement, the AAP has pointed out that PM Modi, having realised that Punjab has rejected the BJP, is now using central agencies to take revenge by causing hardship to Punjabis. “How an agency could bring the functioning of a government authority to a standstill in the name of investigation. The ED operation had continued for more than 36 hours, with the disruption directly affecting the functioning of GMADA. This is an unconstitutional and unprecedented interference in government administration in India’s history,” the party stated.
The AAP noted, “The ongoing ED action at GMADA has effectively disrupted the functioning of a key Punjab development authority for days, with multiple floors sealed, senior officials questioned and official records and devices taken into custody. GMADA is responsible for the planned development and regulation of Greater Mohali, including urban estates, land acquisition, housing, infrastructure and development works, making uninterrupted functioning essential for public projects and citizens.”
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Since 2014, the BJP has continuously used central agencies and constitutional institutions against political opponents. Whenever elections approach in a state, central agencies are sent there to target opposition leaders and create an atmosphere of fear. Punjab is witnessing the same pattern today.”
The Minister pointed out, “Over the past two-three days, officials have even entered locked and unoccupied houses by breaking locks. But nothing has been recovered from these premises. If nothing was found, then what was the purpose of breaking into closed houses?”
He said the conduct of officials during searches had also raised serious concerns. “During a raid at the house of a relative of an AAP Minister, ED officers tried to intimidate children and elderly family members. Is this the manner in which a central investigating agency is supposed to function? The use of such pressure tactics cannot frighten the people of Punjab,” he said.
Referring to similar actions in opposition-ruled states, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “We have seen this pattern in Delhi, Bihar and West Bengal as well. Wherever elections are approaching and the BJP sees a strong opposition, central agencies are activated. This is not about investigation alone; it is about creating fear among political opponents.”
Referring to earlier cases involving AAP’s senior leadership, the senior AAP leader said, “The BJP used agencies against the top leadership of AAP, but those cases ultimately failed in court and our leaders were acquitted. The people have seen this pattern and they understand what is happening.”
On concerns surrounding electoral rolls, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Questions are also being raised about the voter lists. Genuine voters are being removed while efforts are being made to create electoral advantage for the BJP. When investigating agencies and constitutional institutions are being questioned in this manner, it raises serious concerns about the functioning of our democratic system.”
He said, “Punjab has always fought for the democratic rights of the country. Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha sacrificed their lives for the freedom of India. The Constitution, framed under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar, guaranteed democratic rights to every citizen. Those rights must be protected at every cost.”
The senior AAP leader said the BJP was attempting to create fear in Punjab because people across sections were questioning its policies. “The BJP knows that the people of Punjab are asking questions. Our youth are asking questions, our farmers are asking questions and our traders are asking questions. That is why the BJP is trying to create an atmosphere of fear through central agencies,” he said.
“Punjab will not be intimidated. Punjabis have never bowed before pressure and they will respond to these tactics democratically,” Harpal Singh affirmed.
Taking on the Akali Dal (Badal), Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The questions being raised over the treatment of women at a gurdwara sarai in Anandpur Sahib have further exposed the record of the SAD leadership. The people of Punjab have not forgotten the controversies surrounding sacrilege, firing on protesters and the drug crisis.”
“Political alliances cannot erase these questions. The people of Punjab will decide on the basis of the record of every political party and its leadership,” he said.
Harpal Singh Cheema said the BJP and Akali Dal (Badal) had failed to establish themselves as credible political alternatives in Punjab. “The BJP and Akali Dal (Badal) have become politically irrelevant in Punjab. The Centre is using agencies like ED, CBI and the Income Tax Department as political tools, but these tactics will not work in Punjab,” he said.
The senior AAP leader affirmed, “AAP will neither be intimidated nor retreat from this political fight. Under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, we will continue to stand with the people of Punjab and fight for their rights.”
Harpal Singh Cheema said AAP, under the leadership of national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, would continue to defend the Constitution, democracy, civil liberties and citizens’ rights. “We will continue to mobilise people across the country against every attempt to weaken the constitutional framework established under the leadership of Baba Sahib Ambedkar. The people of India will protect their democracy and constitutional rights,” he said.
Sharing ED’s panchnama of ‘No Recovery’ at an AAP Minister’s nephew’s home, Harpal Singh Cheema stated on X: “The ED has increasingly become a tool of political intimidation. Raids, prolonged questioning and disruption of government offices are now being used to create fear and pressure. Yet allegations are not evidence, and investigations must ultimately stand on what is actually established. Punjab will not be intimidated, coerced or silenced. Punjab is watching. Punjab remembers. And Punjab will answer BJP.”
In another post on X, Harpal Singh Cheema stated: “As elections draw closer, ED raids have intensified across Punjab. Action is being taken at the homes of AAP leaders, workers and officials. These are not just raids; they raise serious questions about the misuse of central agencies. Punjab has never bowed to intimidation, and it never will. Whenever Modi feels threatened, he sends the ED forward.”
