CHANDIGARH, APRIL 17 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has condemned the recent Enforcement Directorate raids on state officials, characterizing the moves as a “precursor to a political game plan” ahead of the next election cycle. Speaking to reporters on Friday, the Chief Minister stated that the central government is misusing its authority to create an atmosphere of fear among opposition parties.
Mann affirmed that neither he nor his colleagues would be intimidated by the deployment of central agencies. He stated that the frequent raids suggest the BJP is struggling to find local support and is instead using the ED and CBI to compensate for a lack of political traction in Punjab. He maintained that the strategy of bringing in leaders from other parties had not been successful, leading to the current reliance on federal probes.
Regarding the impact on the nation’s governance, Mann asserted that the focus of the central leadership has become too narrow, favoring a few individuals and business interests over the general public. “This only proves that democracy is under threat,” he stated, adding that it is essential for the public to remain vigilant. He declared that the independence of state institutions is being compromised when federal authorities bypass local norms.
The Chief Minister also drew parallels to the political situations in Bengal and Bihar, noting that changes to top state officials and the appointment of controversial figures in other regions reflect a broader trend. He affirmed that Punjab would continue to stand its ground against what he described as a misuse of the constitutional framework. Mann concluded by stating that the Aam Aadmi Party would remain focused on its governance agenda regardless of the actions taken by central investigators.
