Arvind Kejriwal compares Modi to Aurangzeb amid ED raids in Punjab

Arvind Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using ED raids for political control in Punjab and compared him to Aurangzeb. He alleged targeting of AAP leaders, while ED arrested Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tyrant Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and accused him of dishonestly occupying large parts of the country and now reached Punjab.

Addressing a press conference in the backdrop of Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora, Kejriwal said, Punjab is the land of the Gurus. Several hundred years ago, Aurangzeb seized control of many parts of the country through crime and oppression. Modi ji too has deceitfully seized control of many parts of the country. After that, Aurangzeb arrived in Punjab. Modi ji has now arrived in Punjab as well.

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Invoking the issue of Punjabi identity and the sacrifices of Sikh Gurus, Kejriwal said. Aurangzeb perpetrated great atrocities on the Gurus. Modi ji is also perpetrating atrocities on Punjabis. But the Gurus confronted Aurangzeb through sacrifice and saved the people. Today, drawing inspiration from the Gurus’ sacrifice, Punjab will confront Modi ji’s atrocities and save the entire country from his oppression.

Kejriwal referred to the now-withdrawn farm laws and said. A few years ago, Modi ji had challenged Punjab’s farmers, and he had to bow before them. Today, Modi ji has challenged the entire Punjab.

Insinuating political motives behind ED raids in Punjab, Kejriwal said, As soon as the Bengal elections ended, Modi ji started conducting daily ED raids in Punjab. In the past few years, Modi ji has dealt Punjab a heavy blow. Punjabis have been harassed in every possible way.

He said attacks were launched on Punjab’s water, attempts were made to take over Panjab University, funds for rural development were withheld, and now, relentless ED raids have been unleashed.

Referring to ED action against a former AAP Rajya Sabha MP, Ashok Mittal, he said. A raid was carried out at Ashok Mittal’s place, and the very next day, he was brought into the BJP. This means the purpose of the ED raid wasn’t to uncover stolen money. It was solely to break Ashok Mittal and get him to join the BJP.

Just a few days ago, a raid was also conducted at Sanjeev Arora’s place. When he didn’t join the BJP, another raid was carried out at his premises, he said. The ED on Saturday arrested Arora, one of the powerful Cabinet ministers in the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, from his official residence in Sector 2 in Chandigarh.

The action came after the ED carried out extensive search operations on Sanjeev Arora’s residences and offices under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. However, there is no official statement from the ED on his arrest.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that Arora has been arrested for alleged GST fraud.