A political storm erupted in Punjab after officials from the Enforcement Directorate conducted search operations at locations linked to Ashok Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, in Jalandhar. The raids quickly triggered sharp reactions from political leaders across parties, turning the investigation into a major political flashpoint in the state.
The ED teams carried out search and seizure operations at Mittal’s residence and other premises associated with the Lovely Group, an education conglomerate founded by him. Officials also examined documents and financial records at locations connected to the group. While authorities have not yet revealed the detailed basis of the investigation, the action has already intensified political tensions.
The development comes shortly after Mittal was appointed Deputy Leader of the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, replacing party MP Raghav Chadha. The leadership change had sparked discussions within political circles, and the latest enforcement action has further added to the controversy.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reacted strongly to the raids and accused the central government of using investigative agencies for political purposes. Taking to social media, Mann said the action reflected what he called the “typical Modi style” of politics and suggested that it signaled the beginning of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Mann also posted a poetic message implying that his party would not be intimidated by such moves. Over the past few months, the Punjab chief minister has repeatedly criticised the BJP-led central government, raising issues such as the pending Rural Development Fund dues and accusing the Centre of trying to influence state politics.
The reaction from AAP leaders quickly followed. Party convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the people of Punjab would not tolerate what he described as the misuse of central agencies against opposition leaders. According to Kejriwal, such actions are meant to create pressure on political rivals but would ultimately fail in Punjab.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also criticised the development, claiming that investigative agencies like the ED and CBI often become active in states where elections are approaching. He alleged that the pattern has been repeated in several states and suggested that Punjab voters would respond strongly to any attempt to influence the state’s political landscape.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed these allegations and defended the action taken by the enforcement agency. Union Minister of State for Railways and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said the central government is committed to eliminating corruption.
Bittu remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows the principle of “Swachh Bharat,” suggesting that the government has a responsibility to clean corruption from public life. He also alleged that several members within the Punjab government are facing serious allegations and that investigative agencies are simply performing their duty.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar also criticised the AAP government, saying that controversies involving some AAP legislators continue to surface while the state government allegedly fails to take action. Jakhar warned that if the situation continues, the central government might be compelled to intervene.
The Congress party also entered the debate and questioned the response of the state government. Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal criticised Chief Minister Mann, saying that while he reacted immediately to the raid involving a powerful leader, the government has often remained silent on issues affecting farmers and ordinary citizens.
Political observers believe that the ED raids and the strong reactions from different parties highlight the rising political tension in Punjab. With the next Assembly elections scheduled for 2027, the confrontation between the AAP government in the state and the BJP at the Centre is expected to intensify in the coming months.
For now, the investigation continues, but the political debate surrounding it has already become a major talking point in Punjab’s political landscape.