Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday launched a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that it is using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to intimidate political opponents and target opposition-ruled states.
Addressing a press conference, Dhaliwal claimed that the use of investigative agencies against political rivals has reached an unprecedented level under the BJP-led government at the Centre. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to fight political battles through fear and pressure rather than seeking support through democratic means.
Referring to the recent ED actions in Punjab, Dhaliwal alleged that the purpose was to intimidate AAP leaders and officials and tarnish the image of the Punjab government. He described the development as “not merely an ED action against the AAP government, but an attack by Delhi on Punjab,” adding that the state has historically resisted attempts to suppress its voice.
AAP leader further claimed that similar tactics had been employed against opposition parties and governments in states such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar and West Bengal. He asserted that neither AAP leaders nor the people of Punjab would be intimidated by such actions.
Taking aim at the BJP’s recent “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra,” Dhaliwal questioned the party’s campaign against drugs in Punjab. He alleged that large quantities of narcotics had been seized in Gujarat and said that if the BJP was serious about tackling the drug menace, it should also focus its efforts there.
Dhaliwal said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has implemented several welfare initiatives and continues to enjoy public support. He also referred to legal cases involving senior AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, stating that despite facing imprisonment and investigations, the party had not bowed to pressure.
Criticising the BJP’s political standing in Punjab, Dhaliwal recalled that the party won only two seats in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. He argued that the use of central agencies would not translate into political support for the BJP in the state.
Reiterating AAP’s stance, Dhaliwal said the party would continue its political struggle against the BJP and would not be deterred by ED actions or any other agency. He said the people of Punjab would respond democratically to what he described as attempts to target the state and its elected government.
