BJP Uses CBI, ED and Other Agencies Wherever Elections Approach to Target Opposition Governments: Baltej Pannu

September 4, 2026

CHANDIGARH, September 2, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Central Government of deliberately attempting to weaken the Punjab government by withholding the state’s funds, misusing central investigative agencies for political purposes and running a sustained campaign to malign the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Addressing a press conference, Pannu said that before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the BJP and its supporters had attempted to create fear among people by claiming that the AAP government lacked experience and would not be able to function effectively.

“The people of Punjab rejected that narrative and gave a clear mandate to AAP. They said this government had no experience, would not be able to deliver and that the Chief Minister would not even last three months. But the people of Punjab had made up their minds that they would not repeat the mistake of 2017 and gave Bhagwant Mann a clear mandate,” he said.

The AAP Punjab Media In-charge alleged that after the AAP government came to power, the Centre started withholding Punjab’s funds one after another. He said the Rural Development Fund (RDF) amounting to thousands of crores was still pending with the Centre.

He also alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had been effectively weakened by changes to its framework and name, which he claimed had impacted Punjab.

Referring to the floods in Punjab, Pannu said that despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the state and being apprised of the extensive losses caused by the floods, Punjab received only ₹1,600 crore, which he described as “token assistance”. He added that the promised additional support had also failed to materialise.

Pannu said the Bhagwant Mann government continued its development and welfare work despite what he described as financial constraints created by the Centre.

“They thought that if Punjab’s funds were stopped, the government would not be able to build schools, strengthen the health system, establish Mohalla Clinics, improve hospitals or construct roads. But the government continued working because it had honesty and the determination to deliver,” he said.

Highlighting the state government’s work in education, Pannu claimed that Punjab had overtaken Kerala and emerged as a leading state in the sector. He also highlighted the establishment of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), which he said was working to save lives on Punjab’s roads, along with the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign against drugs with public participation.

Pannu further alleged that the BJP was repeatedly using old videos and selective narratives to portray Punjab in a negative light. He accused central investigative agencies of being deployed around elections with the objective of undermining elected governments.

“Whenever elections approach in a state, the BJP launches agencies like the CBI and ED. Their only objective is to find ways to undermine the work of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and create a perception that his government has failed,” he said.

The AAP leader said similar attempts had been made against welfare initiatives such as the Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, but claimed that the Bhagwant Mann government successfully implemented such schemes despite opposition.

On recent developments involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Pannu accused the agency of attempting to create a negative media narrative against AAP leaders. Referring to AAP Minister Sanjeev Arora, he alleged that the minister was still in jail and had been subjected to harassment, while allegations were being levelled against ministers one after another.

Pannu also questioned the ED’s communications with the Punjab Police, saying that media reports about letters allegedly sent by the agency to the Director General of Police (DGP) were being repeatedly highlighted while the response sought by the Punjab Police from the ED was being ignored.

“The Punjab Police has asked the ED to provide clear evidence and complete details of the case. If the material being shown is merely unclear screenshots of chats, how can an FIR be registered on that basis? The ED should provide the documents and details so that the matter can be taken forward. But there is no answer,” he said.

Pannu alleged that repeated leaks and selective media reports were aimed at maligning Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann because the BJP had failed to find anything against him.

“The people of Punjab know the truth. They have seen the work done by the Bhagwant Mann government despite every possible obstacle. The BJP can continue its attempts to malign the Chief Minister, but the people have already made up their minds. In the coming Assembly elections, Punjab will once again elect Bhagwant Singh Mann to continue serving the state,” he said.