Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday accused the BJP of misusing central agencies to target opposition leaders ahead of elections, claiming that nearly 48 hours of Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at premises linked to Moga MLA Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora yielded nothing.
Addressing a press conference alongside Dr Arora, who is also the president of the AAP Punjab Women's Wing, Cheema said the ED returned empty-handed without recovering any incriminating documents or even a penny. He described the outcome as another certificate of ‘Kattar Imaandar’ for AAP leaders.
Cheema alleged that the BJP had developed a pattern of using central agencies, including the ED, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department, to intimidate opposition leaders and create negative narratives against political parties whenever elections approach.
He said Dr Arora had consistently raised issues concerning women, students, healthcare and public welfare during her five-year tenure as an MLA. Instead of appreciating her work, the BJP was allegedly targeting her and her family through prolonged investigations.
“The ED conducted raids that continued for nearly 48 hours, but could not recover a single incriminating document or even a penny. This clearly exposes the political nature of the entire exercise,” Cheema said.
The minister further alleged that the BJP was attempting to lure AAP MLAs by offering ministerial positions, Rajya Sabha membership and other influential posts to engineer defections. However, he claimed that AAP leaders in Punjab remained committed to the party and could not be influenced by such offers.
He said the people of Punjab would give a fitting response to attempts to destabilise the elected government and undermine democratic institutions.
Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora alleges 48-hour harassment
Meanwhile, Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora said the ED conducted searches at multiple locations linked to her and her family, including her residence, office, hospital and the homes of her parents, brother and other relatives.
According to the Moga MLA, the searches and questioning continued for approximately 42 to 48 hours, but the officials eventually returned without recovering any incriminating documents or money.
She alleged that officials questioned her about various personal and family matters, including her children's mark sheets, property documents, hospital records, public complaints and information related to political leaders from different parties.
Arora claimed that the prolonged searches and questioning were intended to mentally harass her and her family. She also accused the BJP of targeting women politicians who were actively raising public issues in Punjab.
Claiming that she had been offered political positions, including a ministerial post, Arora said she rejected the inducements, maintaining that she had entered politics to serve Punjab and the country rather than pursue personal ambitions or powerful positions.
Reaffirming her loyalty to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, she said no pressure, threat or political inducement could make her compromise with her principles.
Highlighting women's representation in the Punjab Assembly, Arora said AAP currently has 11 women MLAs, which she described as the highest representation of women legislators in the state's Assembly history.
She asserted that neither raids nor intimidation would weaken her resolve or that of other AAP women leaders. She said the party would continue working on education, healthcare, women's empowerment and the overall development of Punjab.
