Due to ED action, Prime Minister Modi has stopped government work for 3 days, Punjabis are facing huge problems: AAP
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ED raid in Punjab shows BJP's fear of people's decision, nothing found during search: Harpal Singh Cheema
Punjab has never bowed before the forces trying to weaken its democracy. 3 crore Punjabis will give a befitting reply to BJP: Harpal Singh Cheema
BJP has made central agencies political weapons, but Punjab will stand firm for its democratic rights: Harpal Singh Cheema
BJP and Akali Dal Badal have become politically irrelevant in Punjab, BJP will get 0 seats in 2027: Harpal Singh Cheema
Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi realized that Punjab had rejected the BJP, he is now using central agencies to take political revenge from Punjabis and create problems for them ahead of the elections. Senior AAP leader and cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) operation has affected government functioning across Punjab for three days, causing a lot of trouble to the people, while nothing has been achieved in the raids. He said that the Modi government's use of ED, Income Tax Department and Election Commission against the states ruled by opposition parties has become its hallmark, but Punjab is not afraid and three crore Punjabis will answer the BJP in a democratic manner.
In a statement, AAP said that after Prime Minister Modi realized that Punjab had rejected the BJP, he is now using central agencies to take revenge by harassing Punjabis. The party said, “How can an agency obstruct the work of any government authority in the name of search? The ED operation lasted for more than 36 hours, which directly affected the work of GMADA. This is an unconstitutional and wrongful interference in government administration in the history of India.”
AAP said, “The ongoing ED operation at GMADA has impacted the functioning of a major development authority of Punjab for several days, with several floors sealed, senior officials interrogated and government records and devices seized. GMADA is responsible for the planned development and regulation of Greater Mohali, including urban property, land acquisition, housing, infrastructure and development work, hence public projects and its ease of access for citizens.” It is important to work from.”
In a press conference, senior AAP leader and cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Since 2014, BJP has been continuously using central agencies and constitutional institutions against political opponents. Whenever elections approach in any state, central agencies are sent there to target opposition leaders and create an atmosphere of fear. Today, the same pattern is being seen in Punjab too.”
The minister said, “In the last two-three days, officials have also broken locks and entered locked and vacant houses. But nothing was recovered from these places. If nothing was found, then what was the purpose of breaking the locks of locked houses?”
He said the attitude of the officers during the search has also raised serious concerns. He said, “During the raid at the house of a relative of an AAP minister, ED officials tried to intimidate children and elderly family members. Is this the way the central investigating agency works? Such pressure tactics cannot intimidate the people of Punjab.”
Referring to such actions in opposition-ruled states, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “We have seen this pattern in Delhi, Bihar and West Bengal as well. Whenever elections approach and the BJP sees a strong opposition, central agencies become active. It is not just about investigation, it is about creating fear among political opponents.”
Referring to previous cases involving senior AAP leadership, the senior AAP leader said, “BJP used agencies against AAP's top leadership, but those cases ultimately failed in court and our leaders were acquitted. People have seen this pattern and they understand what is happening.”
On concerns over the voter list, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Questions are being raised even on the voter list. Names of genuine voters are being removed while attempts are being made to gain electoral advantage for the BJP. When such questions are raised on investigating agencies and constitutional institutions, it raises serious concerns on the way our democratic structure works.”
He said, “Punjab has always fought for the democratic rights of the country. Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha sacrificed their lives for India's freedom. The Constitution drafted under the leadership of Baba Saheb Ambedkar has given democratic rights to every citizen. Those rights must be protected at all costs.”
The senior AAP leader said that BJP is trying to create an atmosphere of fear in Punjab as people of all sections are questioning its policies. He said, “BJP knows that the people of Punjab are asking questions. Our youth are asking questions, our farmers are asking questions and our traders are asking questions. That is why the BJP is trying to create an atmosphere of fear through central agencies.”
Cheema said, “Punjab is not one to be afraid. Punjabis have never bowed down to pressure and will respond to these tactics in a democratic manner.”
Taking aim at the Akali Dal (Badal), Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The questions raised on the treatment of women in the Gurdwara Sarai of Anandpur Sahib have further exposed the record of the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership. The people of Punjab have not forgotten the controversies related to sacrilege, firing on protesters and the drug crisis.”
“Political alliances cannot erase these questions. The people of Punjab will decide on the basis of the record of each political party and its leadership,” he said.
Harpal Singh Cheema said that BJP and Akali Dal (Badal) have failed to establish themselves as credible political alternatives in Punjab. “BJP and Akali Dal (Badal) have become politically useless in Punjab. The Center is using agencies like ED, CBI and Income Tax Department as political weapons, but these methods will not work in Punjab,”
The senior AAP leader said, “AAP will neither be afraid nor back down from this political fight. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, we will stand with the people of Punjab and keep fighting for their rights.”
Harpal Singh Cheema said that AAP, under the leadership of National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, will continue to protect the Constitution, democracy, civil liberties and rights of citizens. “We will continue to rally the people of the country against every attempt to weaken the constitutional framework built under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The people of India will defend their democracy and constitutional rights.”
Sharing ED's panchnama of 'no recovery' (nothing recovered) at AAP minister's nephew's house, Harpal Singh Cheema wrote on Will not come or remain silent. Punjab will remember. And Punjab will answer to BJP.”
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