Gurpreet Singh :- Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches in Punjab’s major commercial centres have sparked a sharp political confrontation, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the Centre of using investigative agencies to target the state’s business community.
Reacting to the raids conducted in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, Mann said Punjab’s traders and entrepreneurs have played a vital role in driving the state’s economic growth and contributing to the vision of a prosperous Punjab. He alleged that central agencies were being misused to create pressure on businessmen and bring them under political influence, asserting that the people of Punjab would not tolerate such actions.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the ED operation, claiming in a social media post that the agency was once again carrying out searches against Hindu businessmen in Punjab and creating difficulties for small traders. He urged members of the business community not to panic, assuring them that both the people of Punjab and the state government stood firmly with them.
The issue quickly escalated into a political debate, with BJP leader Anil Sareen rejecting the allegations and maintaining that central investigative agencies function independently and strictly within the framework of law. He, in turn, accused the Punjab Government of using the Vigilance Department for political purposes.
Adding to the political rhetoric, AAP Haryana president Sushil Kumar Gupta echoed Kejriwal’s remarks and said Punjab would lead the fight against what he termed the misuse of central agencies.
The controversy follows an ED search conducted at the residence of prominent tax lawyer Amit Bajaj in New Jawahar Nagar. Bajaj, known for handling income tax, GST and VAT-related matters, is associated with several leading industrialists and business houses in the region. Officials have not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the purpose or findings of the operation.
With political parties trading charges over the raids, the ED action has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the ongoing tussle between the Punjab Government and the Centre.
