Chandigarh, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday accused the BJP-led Centre of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other central agencies to put pressure on the Punjab government and opposition leaders ahead of the state Assembly elections, with Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema saying the state would not be intimidated.
The remarks came amid ongoing ED searches at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office in Mohali and other locations in Punjab. The searches are part of a money-laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities involving land acquisition, changes in land use and related transactions. The Punjab government has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court over the searches, following which the court appointed a warrant officer to monitor the proceedings and submit a status report.
Cheema alleged that the ED action had disrupted the functioning of GMADA, which handles development-related matters in the Greater Mohali region. He claimed that the searches had continued for more than 36 hours and affected government functioning.
“This is an unconstitutional and unprecedented interference in government administration in India’s history,” the AAP said in its statement, alleging that the agency action was causing hardship to people.
Cheema alleged that the BJP routinely activates central agencies in opposition-ruled states when elections approach. “Since 2014, the BJP has continuously used central agencies and constitutional institutions against political opponents. Whenever elections approach in a state, central agencies are sent there to target opposition leaders and create an atmosphere of fear. Punjab is witnessing the same pattern today,” he said.
He also questioned the reported entry into locked premises during the searches. According to reports, ED officials searched a Chandigarh government bungalow linked to AAP leader Satyendar Jain when he was not present, with officials reportedly breaking open the locks. The ED also searched the residence of Gurpreet Singh Saini, nephew of Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, in Sahnewal.
“Over the past two-three days, officials have even entered locked and unoccupied houses by breaking locks. But nothing has been recovered from these premises. If nothing was found, then what was the purpose of breaking into closed houses?” Cheema said.
The ED has not publicly disclosed its final findings from the ongoing searches. Reports indicate that the investigation is examining alleged irregularities involving GMADA and private developers.
Cheema further alleged that ED officials had attempted to intimidate family members during a search at the residence of a relative of an AAP minister. “The use of such pressure tactics cannot frighten the people of Punjab,” he said.
Referring to similar allegations in other opposition-ruled states, Cheema claimed that the BJP was using central agencies as political tools. He also referred to previous cases involving AAP leaders and said the party had continued its political activities despite investigations and arrests.
On electoral rolls, Cheema raised allegations concerning the deletion of voters’ names and said such developments raised questions about the functioning of democratic institutions. These were presented by him as political allegations rather than established findings.
Invoking Punjab’s history and the contributions of freedom fighters including Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha, Cheema said the state had historically stood up for democratic rights.
“Punjab will not be intimidated. Punjabis have never bowed before pressure and they will respond to these tactics democratically,” he said.
Cheema also criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), referring to controversies involving the party and saying political alliances could not erase questions concerning the record of political parties.
He said AAP would continue to oppose the BJP politically and defend what it described as the constitutional and democratic rights of Punjab’s people.
In a post on X, Cheema also said that allegations were not evidence and that investigations should ultimately be judged on what was established through due process.
The ED searches remained a major political and legal flashpoint between the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Centre on Thursday, with AAP workers also staging a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali.
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