The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday launched protests across Punjab against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Punjab Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora in an alleged GST fraud-linked money laundering case.
AAP leaders and party workers gathered in several districts, including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mohali and Barnala, where they raised slogans against the central government and burnt effigies of the BJP-led administration. Protesters were also seen carrying placards reading “ED-BJP gathjod murdabad”.
The protests came a day after the ED arrested Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora in connection with an alleged Rs 100 crore GST fraud-related money laundering case involving certain entities linked to him.
Arora, 62, was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the ED conducted early morning raids at his official residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 2 on Saturday.
AAP strongly criticised the ED action and termed the raids and subsequent arrest “politically motivated”. The party alleged that the BJP-led Centre was deliberately using central investigative agencies to target Opposition leaders, particularly those associated with AAP.
Participating in a protest in Jalandhar, Punjab Cabinet minister Mohinder Bhagat condemned the ED action against Arora and accused the Union government of indulging in “high-handedness” against AAP leaders.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, Bhagat alleged that the Centre was attempting to obstruct Punjab’s development through repeated actions against members of the state government.
“It is misusing the ED only against the AAP leaders by conducting raids at their premises. It clearly shows that the Union government is indulging in high-handedness. Punjabis never tolerate high-handedness of anyone,” Bhagat said.
He further asserted that the entire AAP leadership and cadre stand firmly behind Arora during the ongoing investigation.
In Hoshiarpur, AAP leaders also accused the BJP of misusing central agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Opposition parties. According to party leaders, the BJP was “rattled” by the “public-welfare oriented” work being carried out by the Punjab government, which they claimed was the reason behind the alleged targeting of AAP leaders in the state.
Similar demonstrations were reported from multiple parts of Punjab, where AAP workers gathered in support of the arrested minister and criticised the Centre’s actions.
Meanwhile, Hampton Sky Realty Limited, where Arora previously served as a director, issued a statement regarding the investigation. The company said it has faith in the legal process and is fully cooperating with all statutory authorities. It also stated that it would continue extending cooperation during the ongoing proceedings.
AAP, in its reaction on Saturday, strongly condemned the central government and alleged that the BJP resorts to investigative agencies whenever it senses political challenges during elections.
According to the party, agencies such as the ED are being used to suppress the voices of Opposition parties and create political pressure on leaders opposing the BJP.
The arrest of Arora has now triggered a major political confrontation in Punjab, with the ruling AAP escalating its attack on the Centre while backing its senior minister publicly.
The ED, however, has proceeded with the investigation under the PMLA framework linked to the alleged GST fraud case. Further developments in the matter are expected as the investigation continues.
