Gurpreet Singh :- Political temperatures soared in Amritsar on Sunday as leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party staged a strong protest outside the residence of BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh against the Enforcement Directorate’s action against Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora.
Raising slogans against the Centre, the protesters accused the Union Government of misusing central agencies to target opposition leaders. The demonstration witnessed the participation of Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLAs Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Dr. Ajay Gupta, district president Prabhbir Singh Brar and a large number of party workers.
AAP leaders alleged that the arrest of Sanjeev Arora was politically motivated and aimed at suppressing voices raising public issues. They claimed that the BJP-led Centre was attempting to weaken opposition parties through pressure tactics and central investigations.
Addressing the gathering, Harbhajan Singh ETO said the party would not be intimidated by arrests or political pressure. He asserted that every worker of AAP would continue to stand with the people and raise issues concerning Punjab.
Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said the people of Punjab were closely watching the developments and would respond democratically at the appropriate time. Dr. Ajay Gupta termed the action against elected representatives as “unhealthy for democracy”.
Heavy police deployment was witnessed around Tarun Chugh’s residence to maintain law and order during the protest. Barricades were placed in the area and security personnel remained on alert throughout the demonstration.
AAP leaders warned that if such actions against opposition leaders continued, the party would intensify its agitation across the state in the coming days.
