Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party is set to take its protest against central investigative agencies to the streets of Punjab, with party workers scheduled to hold demonstrations across the state on Wednesday.
The protests, beginning at 2 pm, are aimed at the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation. The AAP has accused the BJP-led Union government of using the two agencies to target political opponents and governments run by Opposition parties.
The party has alleged that the ongoing actions by central agencies in Punjab are part of an attempt to create political pressure around the Bhagwant Mann-led administration.
According to the AAP, its workers will gather at different locations across the state and raise their objections to what the party describes as the “misuse” of investigative agencies.
AAP alleges political targeting
The ruling party in Punjab has accused the Centre of employing central probe agencies against governments and leaders who do not belong to the BJP.
AAP leaders have pointed to West Bengal and Jharkhand as examples of states where Opposition-led governments have, according to the party, faced similar action involving the ED and CBI.
The party has described the developments in Punjab as a broader political campaign aimed at weakening the state government and damaging the reputation of its leaders.
Protests come amid CBI probe
The planned demonstrations come at a time when the CBI is investigating allegations of corruption involving functionaries associated with the Punjab government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The agency’s recent activities have added to tensions between the state’s ruling party and the Centre. The AAP has maintained that investigative proceedings are being used for political purposes, while the allegations under investigation remain subject to the legal process.
Wednesday’s protests are expected to see participation from AAP workers and local leaders at multiple locations across Punjab. The party has called on its cadre to turn out in large numbers and make its opposition to the central agencies’ actions known.
