Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday strongly criticised the Enforcement Directorate’s search operation at the residence of state minister Sanjeev Arora, alleging that central agencies are being used as political tools to pressure opposition leaders into joining the BJP.
Addressing a press conference in Sangrur, Mann claimed that agencies such as the ED, CBI, Income Tax Department and even constitutional institutions are being misused across the country to target political opponents.
He alleged that similar tactics had been used in several states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka and West Bengal, and said Punjab had now become the latest focus of such political pressure.
Mann accused the BJP-led Centre of using raids not to uncover financial wrongdoing but to intimidate leaders. He claimed the real purpose of such actions was to push those being investigated towards joining the BJP in exchange for relief from legal scrutiny.
Referring to recent action against businessman and former AAP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Mittal, Mann alleged that enforcement pressure had ended soon after he joined the BJP and that he was subsequently granted enhanced security cover.
The Chief Minister said ED teams had visited Sanjeev Arora’s premises multiple times this year and insisted nothing incriminating had been found. He accused investigators of attempting to threaten the minister by warning of business seizures unless he switched political allegiance.
Mann said such pressure tactics might work elsewhere but would not succeed in Punjab. He asserted that the people of the state have historically resisted coercion and reminded the Centre of the strong resistance shown during the farmers’ agitation that led to the withdrawal of the three farm laws.
He also accused the BJP of repeatedly taking decisions that, according to him, have undermined Punjab’s interests. These included disputes over Chandigarh’s administrative status, issues related to Panjab University, control of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, delayed release of Rural Development Fund allocations and pending flood relief assistance.
The Chief Minister alleged that attempts were being made to weaken Punjab politically and economically, but said the state would resist any such efforts.
Mann also defended his government’s recent anti-sacrilege legislation, saying the law was introduced to prevent attempts to create unrest through deliberate acts of religious provocation.
Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Mann accused the party of using divisive politics for electoral gains. He claimed Punjab’s social harmony and strong bond between Sikh and Hindu communities would not allow such attempts to succeed.
He concluded by warning the Centre against what he described as “dirty politics” in Punjab and said the state would give a strong democratic response to any attempt to destabilise its political and social fabric.
