Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, alleging that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are being misused to pressure Opposition leaders in Punjab ahead of elections.
Reacting to the recent ED raids on leaders linked to his party within a span of three days, Mann said these actions are not about investigation but about creating fear in political circles. He claimed that such moves are aimed at intimidating leaders who refuse to align with the ruling party at the Centre.
Mann said neither he nor his party colleagues can be scared by such tactics, adding that democracy is being weakened through the selective use of investigative agencies. According to him, Opposition voices are being targeted in a planned manner to influence the political atmosphere in Punjab.
Taking a direct swipe at the BJP, the Chief Minister alleged that the party does not even have enough candidates to contest all 117 Assembly seats in Punjab, and is therefore relying on agencies like the ED and CBI to expand its political reach. He also said that earlier attempts to strengthen the BJP in the state through political entries from other parties have not delivered results.
He further escalated his criticism by suggesting that power in the country is concentrated in the hands of a few influential individuals, and questioned the broader functioning of democratic institutions. Mann also referred to developments in other states, including Bihar and West Bengal, saying that similar patterns of political interference can be seen elsewhere too.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between the Punjab government and the Centre, with repeated Opposition allegations that central agencies are being used for political purposes. While the Centre maintains that all investigations are based on evidence and legal procedure, the controversy continues to fuel a heated political debate.
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The latest statement from CM Mann adds another flashpoint to the ongoing confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab and the BJP-led central leadership, as the political atmosphere in the state continues to heat up ahead of future electoral battles.