Ashwani Sharma accuses AAP of shielding corruption, creating political unrest in Punjab

Chandigarh, 10 May (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party on sunday strongly criticized the alleged attacks and unruly behaviour by Aam Aadmi Party workers at BJP offices in Punjab, accusing the state government and police of acting under political pressure to target opposition workers.

Senior BJP leader Ashwani Sharma warned that the party would not tolerate political intimidation or the misuse of police machinery in Punjab. He alleged that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government was weakening democratic institutions and using confrontation politics to divert attention from corruption allegations against its leaders.

Addressing the media in Chandigarh alongside BJP Punjab State Media Head Vineet Joshi, Sharma said the Punjab government was misusing state machinery and attempting to suppress opposition voices. He claimed that whenever investigative agencies take action against AAP leaders, the party begins alleging that democracy and the Constitution are under threat.

Referring to the recent Enforcement Directorate action in a money laundering case linked to Sanjeev Arora, Sharma said the issue was related to corruption and not an attack on democracy.

“Neither Punjab nor democracy is under threat. The only thing under threat is the corrupt system of the AAP government,” Sharma said, alleging that the state government was trying to create unrest to hide corruption and administrative failures.

Drawing comparisons with West Bengal, Sharma accused the AAP government of attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and political violence in Punjab. He said Punjabis had already rejected such politics and would not allow the state to move toward instability and lawlessness.

He also targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of making irresponsible statements on sensitive matters related to national security and terrorism. Sharma said Punjab had suffered greatly due to terrorism in the past and warned that politicising such issues could harm peace and harmony in the state.

Reiterating BJP’s agenda, Sharma said the party remains committed to development, farmers’ welfare, a debt-free Punjab and a drug-free society. He urged the AAP government to focus on governance instead of political vendetta and propaganda. Ashwani Sharma said BJP workers would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab and its people without fear.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH