Kuldeep Dhaliwal accuses BJP of using ED to target Punjab government

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Dhaliwal on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that the central agency is being used as a political tool to defame the Punjab government and target its leaders.

Addressing a press conference, Dhaliwal claimed that the BJP has lost its political ground in Punjab and is now relying on the ED to pursue what he described as a campaign against the Bhagwant Mann-led government. He alleged that the ED was no longer functioning as an independent agency and was instead acting in support of the ruling party at the Centre.

Dhaliwal accused the Central Government of attempting to tarnish the image of the Punjab government and falsely implicate Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other senior AAP leaders in fabricated cases. He said repeated letters and notices were being issued only to create negative publicity and mislead the public.

Referring to recent developments, Dhaliwal said Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) had written to the ED on August 28, informing the agency that the documents it had sent were not legible. According to him, Punjab Police had requested the ED to depute a responsible officer to Police Headquarters on September 1 to clarify the documents, but no official appeared on the scheduled date.

“This clearly shows that the objective is not investigation but media trials and defamation of the Punjab government,” Dhaliwal alleged.

AAP leader further claimed that the BJP and the ED were trying to obstruct Punjab’s development and mentally harass Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his family. He said AAP had remained united despite legal actions against several of its leaders and would continue to fight what he termed political vendetta.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Dhaliwal said the people of Punjab would once again support AAP. He also accused the BJP of acting against Punjab’s interests, alleging that the party had hindered the state's development and failed to support farmers during key agitations.

Dhaliwal asserted that neither the ED nor the BJP could intimidate AAP workers through what he called “false cases,” adding that truth would ultimately prevail and alleged political conspiracies would be exposed.