ED raids on AAP MLA Amandeep Arora yielded nothing, says Punjab minister Harpal Cheema

Chandigarh. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday accused the BJP of using central agencies to break the Aam Aadmi Party before the 2027 Assembly elections. He claimed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) left empty-handed after nearly 48 hours of searches at premises linked to Moga MLA Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora.

“The ED conducted raids that continued for nearly 48 hours, but could not recover a single incriminating document or even a penny,” Cheema told a press conference. He said the agency had once again given AAP leaders a certificate of being “kattar imaandar” (staunchly honest).

Cheema also alleged that the BJP was trying to win over AAP legislators with offers of ministerial berths and Rajya Sabha seats. Arora, who sat beside him, said she had been offered positions, including a minister’s post, and had turned them down.

“I entered politics to work for Punjab and the country, not to secure positions, election tickets or fulfil personal ambitions. My commitment is to the people who have placed their trust in me,” said Arora, who heads AAP’s women wing in Punjab.

Mark sheets to hospital files

Arora gave a detailed account of the searches. She said ED teams went through her house, her office, her hospital and the homes of her parents, her brother and other relatives. According to her, the searches and questioning went on for 42 to 48 hours.

She said officials asked her about almost everything, from her children’s mark sheets and family property papers to hospital records, public complaints and information about leaders of several parties. She alleged that the process was stretched on purpose to cause mental harassment to her family.

“The BJP is using central agencies to frighten opposition leaders and force them into joining its ranks, particularly with the Punjab Assembly elections approaching,” she said. “Despite making tall claims about women’s empowerment and protection, the BJP is targeting women politicians who are working effectively and raising public issues.”

“I will stand with Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for as long as I live. No pressure, threat or inducement can make me compromise with my principles or betray the people of Punjab,” she added.

What the ED case is about

The ED began the searches on Wednesday at seven premises in Punjab. The agency has said the case concerns the alleged fraudulent acquisition of government land and misappropriation of public funds in Moga district. The money laundering probe is based on a June 2024 Punjab Police FIR over the alleged fraudulent mutation of land acquired for National Highway 754A and compensation paid to the wrong people. Arora was not named as an accused in that police complaint. The ED has not said whether it seized any documents or cash.

‘Pattern before every election’

Cheema said the BJP was following a set pattern ahead of polls. “The BJP has developed a pattern of misusing central agencies whenever elections approach in a state. The ED, CBI, Income Tax Department and even the Election Commission are being used to intimidate opposition leaders, create allegations and build media narratives to malign political parties,” he alleged.

He said the aim was to weaken elected governments and hurt the democratic process. Calling the long searches and questioning of an elected representative and her family harassment, he said they violated basic human rights.

Praising Arora’s work as MLA on issues of women, students and healthcare, Cheema said she had been rewarded with harassment instead of recognition. “The BJP is targeting AAP leaders because they stand firmly with Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann. But our leaders are committed to serving the people and cannot be bought through positions or inducements,” he said.

11 women MLAs

Arora said AAP now has 11 women MLAs in the Punjab Assembly, which she called the highest number of women legislators in the House’s history. “Our party has opened the doors of politics for ordinary women and men,” she said.

“No amount of intimidation, pressure or harassment can weaken my resolve or that of AAP’s women leaders. We will not be frightened into abandoning our responsibilities,” she said.

Cheema said the people of Punjab would give a fitting reply to every attempt to weaken democracy and the people’s mandate. Arora said AAP would keep working on education, healthcare and public welfare, and that neither raids nor threats nor political offers would shake the party’s commitment to Punjab.