Ashok Mittal (62), a member of the Rajya Sabha from Punjab and Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just ten days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid on his properties. Mittal, who was recently appointed Deputy Leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Upper House, has seen a rapid rise in his political career since becoming an MP in 2022. His switch to the BJP has raised eyebrows given the timing, especially following the ED's investigation into alleged money laundering involving him and his son. The raids, which took place on April 15, targeted multiple locations linked to his family’s businesses, including Lovely Sweets and Lovely Autos. Despite the controversies, Mittal has remained vocal in Parliament, advocating for AAP policies and criticizing the central government's handling of law and order in Chandigarh. His departure from AAP could have significant implications for the party's stability in Punjab, where he had been a prominent figure.