Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, alleging that it is misusing central investigative agencies to harass traders and exert political pressure in Punjab. His remarks came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out fresh raids in connection with a money laundering probe linked to Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora.
The ED conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh as part of its investigation into an alleged ₹100 crore GST fraud case related to mobile phone sales. The agency searched premises in Ludhiana and Jalandhar in Punjab, as well as locations in Noida and Bareilly. Arora, who was arrested by the ED last month, remains in judicial custody.
Reacting strongly to the raids, Mann defended Punjab's trading community and accused the BJP of using central agencies for political purposes. In a post on social media, he described traders, particularly those from Punjab, as a vital force behind the state's economic growth and development. He alleged that the BJP was attempting to intimidate businesspersons through agencies such as the ED in order to pressure them politically.
“The ED party wants to harass our traders by misusing central agencies,” Mann said, referring to the BJP by a term frequently used by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He further claimed that Punjabis would not tolerate efforts to force traders into any political camp through intimidation or coercion.
The latest raids have intensified the ongoing confrontation between the AAP government in Punjab and the Centre. AAP leaders have repeatedly alleged that agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department are being used to target opposition leaders and governments in non-BJP-ruled states. Similar accusations have been made by senior AAP leaders in recent months following investigations involving party ministers and functionaries.
The BJP, however, has consistently rejected allegations of political vendetta, maintaining that central agencies operate independently and act on the basis of evidence in financial crime investigations. The party argues that anti-corruption probes should not be viewed through a political lens.
As the ED investigation continues, the issue is expected to remain a major flashpoint in Punjab politics, with both the AAP and BJP using the developments to sharpen their political narratives ahead of future electoral contests.
