Punjab CM Accuses BJP of Using ED to Coerce Political Defections
BJP using ED as tool to force defections: Punjab CM
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of weaponizing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to force defections from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This statement follows recent ED raids targeting AAP ministers amid allegations of tax fraud, which Mann claims are politically motivated.
- 01Bhagwant Mann alleges BJP is using ED to destabilize Punjab's government.
- 02ED raids focused on AAP minister Sanjeev Arora amid GST fraud investigation.
- 03Mann claims the raids are intended to intimidate AAP leaders into defecting.
- 04He highlights a pattern of political defections benefiting the BJP.
- 05Mann demands the release of rural development funds for Punjab instead of using agencies for intimidation.
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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a tool to intimidate Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders into defecting. This accusation comes amid ED raids on AAP cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora's properties, which are linked to a ₹157.12-crore (approximately $19 million USD) goods and services tax fraud investigation. Mann stated that despite extensive searches, no evidence has been found against Arora, suggesting the raids are politically motivated. He also pointed to the recent defection of Rajya Sabha member Ashok Mittal to the BJP, implying that the timing of the ED's actions is designed to send a message of coercion. Mann criticized the agency's attempts to connect AAP leaders to criminal activities while questioning why similar scrutiny is not applied to BJP leaders. He emphasized that Punjab would not be intimidated and called for the release of pending rural development funds instead of using central agencies for political gain.
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The ongoing political tensions may affect governance and public trust in state institutions, as allegations of coercion could lead to unrest among AAP supporters.
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