Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has rejected allegations contained in an Enforcement Directorate communication concerning alleged irregularities linked to the Chief Minister’s Office, calling the claims baseless and accusing the BJP of using central investigative agencies to target political opponents.
Responding to the ED communication, Mann said there was no truth to the allegations and portrayed the development as part of what he described as a broader pattern of pressure against opposition-led state governments.
“I don’t need any certificate of honesty from anyone,” Mann said, while accusing the BJP-led central government of pursuing an anti-democratic agenda through investigative agencies.
The controversy follows an ED communication to the Punjab Police Director General of Police flagging 61 alleged instances of wrongdoing. The allegations reportedly include interference in government transfers and postings, manipulation of tenders, questionable land transactions and influence over policy decisions.
The communication also reportedly sought the registration of an FIR against individuals allegedly associated with Rajbir Singh Ghuman, who serves as an Officer on Special Duty to the Punjab chief minister.
Mann strongly disputed the accusations and alleged that central agencies were being used to pressure his government. He maintained that such actions would not deter the Punjab government from carrying out its work.
The latest exchange has intensified the political confrontation between Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government and the BJP-led government at the Centre, with the two sides trading accusations over the conduct and independence of federal investigative agencies.
The allegations contained in the ED communication have not been proven in court, and Mann and his government have denied wrongdoing.
