Chandigarh, May 21: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to create political pressure and expand the party across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Baltej Pannu alleged that businessmen, university owners and political leaders are first issued notices or raided by central agencies and are later inducted into the BJP. According to him, action against such individuals either slows down or stops after they join the party.
Pannu claimed that this pattern has become a “political model” of the BJP. He alleged that notices from ED and CBI are being used as tools to pressure people into joining the ruling party. He further stated that individuals are allegedly told that legal action could stop if they become part of the BJP.
Referring to Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, Pannu said that raids were conducted before he later joined the BJP. He also mentioned AAP leader Sanjeev Arora and alleged that despite pressure and raids, Arora did not bow down before the BJP and was later arrested.
The AAP leader also referred to the case of Gaurav Bagga. He claimed that Bagga received a CBI notice in connection with a case and was inducted into the BJP within days in the presence of Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar. Pannu said BJP’s own social media platforms carried visuals of Bagga joining the party.
Taking a dig at Sunil Jakhar, Baltej Pannu said the BJP had earlier claimed it would politically weaken Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, he alleged that the current political developments expose what he called BJP’s “politics of pressure and intimidation.”
During the press conference, Pannu also targeted Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu over his recent remarks related to Punjab. Referring to Bittu’s visit to a hospital in Dhuri, Pannu said the Union Minister himself praised the hospital arrangements during the visit. He claimed Bittu had recorded videos appreciating the OPD services, which reportedly catered to nearly 600 patients, and also acknowledged food services being provided by NGOs.
However, Pannu alleged that after leaving the hospital premises, Ravneet Singh Bittu made contradictory statements claiming that there were no patients in the hospital and only stray dogs were present. The AAP leader termed these statements politically motivated and misleading.
Baltej Pannu also questioned the large convoy accompanying the Union Minister. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi often speaks about reducing unnecessary government expenditure, but BJP leaders themselves move with long convoys. Pannu alleged that Ravneet Singh Bittu travels with around 50 vehicles in his convoy.
The AAP leader strongly criticised Bittu’s statement in which Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was allegedly referred to as an “ISI agent.” Pannu termed the remark irresponsible and anti-Punjab. He said such statements insult not only an elected Chief Minister but also the people of Punjab.
Pannu further said Punjabis have always made sacrifices for the country and cannot be labelled anti-national. He questioned the BJP over incidents such as the Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks and asked why the “complete truth” behind those incidents had not been made public yet.
He also referred to the Pathankot terror attack and said questions were raised at that time regarding the role of Pakistan’s ISI in the investigation process. According to Pannu, BJP leaders should explain the developments related to that case before making allegations against Punjab leaders.
Baltej Pannu additionally raised the issue of Aroosa Alam and alleged that several questions had been raised during the Congress government regarding her stay at the official residence of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. He questioned why Ravneet Singh Bittu, who was then a Congress MP, remained silent during that period.
Defending Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Pannu said the Punjab government has worked in sectors including education, healthcare, canal water supply, infrastructure, free electricity and medical treatment for citizens over the last four years. He said BJP leaders should explain how a government implementing welfare schemes could be branded anti-national.
Demanding an apology from Ravneet Singh Bittu, Baltej Pannu said the Union Minister should either present proof supporting his allegations or publicly apologise to the people of Punjab.
