Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Women Wing President, MLA from Moga and party candidate for the upcoming elections, Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora, on Thursday exposed the BJP-led Central Government’s political vendetta, revealing that the 42-hour-long Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at her residence was accompanied by repeated pressure to join the BJP in exchange for a ministerial position. She said that despite extensive searches at her residence and hospital, the ED could not recover a single penny and had to return empty-handed. Reaffirming her commitment to AAP, she declared that neither threats nor political inducements could shake her loyalty to the party.
Addressing a press conference, AAP MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora said, “During the approximately 40-42-hour-long raid, my young children and family members were confined inside our home. The ED conducted extensive searches at my residences and hospital, but could not recover even a single penny. The agency had to return completely empty-handed.”
The AAP Candidate for the Moga Halqa said, “The ED subjected me to extensive questioning by linking the matter to transactions involving individuals such as Bipan Unkara and Rakesh Sitara, relating to the period before the formation of the government. However, no evidence of money laundering or irregularities was found. The search had effectively been completed by 12 noon, but proceedings were deliberately prolonged under pressure from higher authorities.”
She pointed out, “During the raid, continuous pressure was exerted on me through the ED to join the BJP. I was even told, ‘You will be given a ministerial position; you can think about it.’ I outright rejected this disgraceful offer. The Aam Aadmi Party is my mother party, and I am an honest and committed soldier of Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.”
Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora affirmed, “I am not someone who can be tempted by ministerial positions, election tickets or political posts. As long as I live, I will stand firmly with the Aam Aadmi Party. Neither threats nor inducements can make me compromise my principles or loyalty.”
She asserted, “We are not thieves, nor are we afraid of such hollow threats. We are fully prepared to face more such raids. The BJP is resorting to these tactics because it can see its imminent defeat in Punjab. However, the people of Punjab will give the BJP a befitting reply in the upcoming elections.”
“I sincerely thank all my supporters who stood firmly with me and my family throughout this difficult 42-hour period. Their support has strengthened my resolve to continue fighting against the BJP’s politics of intimidation,” she added.
Meanwhile, AAP Punjab Media In-chargeBaltej Pannu said, “The 42-hour-long ED raid at the residence of Moga’s sitting MLA, Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora Ji, a people’s elected representative and candidate for the next election, yielded absolutely nothing. The same thing was repeatedly said to her: Madam, join the BJP, and you will get big positions. But our MLA did not budge an inch.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge affirmed, “The ED could not recover a single penny from her residence despite continuous searches and had to return empty-handed. The MLA was repeatedly pressured to join the BJP and promised prestigious positions in return. However, the honest and democratically elected representatives of the AAP refused to surrender to these inducements and threats.”
“The Central Government is misusing government agencies to force opposition leaders into submission. The BJP should remove this misconception from its mind that it can buy the soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann through threats or inducements,” said Baltej Pannu.
“The leaders of the AAP are neither for sale nor afraid. They are committed to the people and will never surrender to the BJP’s political pressure. The sensible people of Punjab will certainly give the BJP a befitting reply to its dirty politics in the upcoming elections,” he added.
