Chandigarh, Sep 23 (PTI) The ruling AAP in Punjab accused the BJP on Wednesday of using central agencies to intimidate its leaders and Punjabis, and claimed that the saffron party has “lost political ground” in the state.
The BJP-led Centre is trying to disrupt the functioning of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and create hurdles for the Bhagwant Mann government’s welfare schemes, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement.
It asserted that federal agencies cannot manufacture political support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab.
The AAP’s reaction came following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) survey-and-search operations at the GMADA office in Mohali on Tuesday. The raid operation continued on Wednesday as well.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led party accused the BJP and the Centre of simultaneously trying to create “hurdles” in the functioning of the GMADA and “obstruct” the Mann government’s welfare initiatives.
“The BJP is unable to stop the welfare schemes through political means, so attempts are now being made to create administrative pressure and obstacles. The people of Punjab will not allow these tactics to succeed,” it said.
“Punjab and Punjabis have made some of the country’s greatest sacrifices in the past and would continue to stand up for the rights of people. The BJP is particularly targeting welfare initiatives, such as the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, because women across Punjab were happy with the scheme and were directly benefitting from it.
“Those who have sacrificed for the country in the past will continue to fight for the rights of their mothers and sisters. The AAP will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Punjab and fight every attempt to take away their rights and welfare,” the statement said.
Punjabis have never bowed before intimidation or pressure, it added.
“History is witness to the fact that Punjabis have never been afraid of such tactics. Whether it is the Election Commission, the ED or any other agency, Punjabis are not going to be intimidated. The AAP stands firmly with its Punjabi brothers and sisters and will fight these attempts to threaten Punjab and its people,” the party said.
Referring to the ED action, it said, “This is the same Aurangzeb-like approach of trying to frighten and suppress Punjab through pressure and force. But Punjab has never accepted such intimidation and will not accept it today either.”
The BJP can deploy as many agencies as it wants, but neither raids nor intimidation can weaken the resolve of Punjabis, the party asserted.
“The AAP will stand with Punjab and fight every attempt to obstruct the functioning of the Bhagwant Mann government, stop its welfare schemes or suppress the voice of people,” it added. PTI CHS RC
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