Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the Aam Aadmi Party will hold statewide protests outside BJP offices in Punjab on May 10, intensifying the confrontation between the ruling AAP government in the state and the BJP-led Centre. Cheema said party workers would “gherao” BJP offices across Punjab in protest against what he described as the misuse of central agencies against opposition leaders.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Cheema accused the BJP of using agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate selectively in opposition-ruled states while sparing leaders aligned with the BJP. He alleged that investigative actions were being used as political pressure tactics to weaken rival parties and destabilise elected governments.
Cheema referred to recent developments involving businessman-turned-politician Ashok Mittal and Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora. According to him, the ED conducted raids on Mittal before he later joined the BJP, while Arora, who allegedly refused to switch allegiance, was arrested afterward. Cheema claimed the sequence of events demonstrated a deliberate political pattern.
The Punjab minister also alleged that the BJP was attempting to undermine democratic institutions and come to power in Punjab through “unfair means.” Referring to recent ED actions involving AAP leaders, including references to Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora in a separate probe, Cheema described the developments as part of a broader conspiracy targeting opposition parties.
In a social media post, Cheema declared that BJP offices across Punjab would face a “siege” by AAP workers as part of the protest campaign. The announcement comes amid rising political tensions in the state, where the ruling AAP government has repeatedly accused the Centre of politically motivated investigations and interference.
The latest confrontation also unfolds at a time when the Punjab government is facing internal pressure over employee demands related to dearness allowance, assured career progression, and other service benefits. The Bharatiya Janata Party has not yet officially responded to Cheema’s allegations regarding the planned protests and the accusations surrounding the use of central agencies.
