NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday after he likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in light of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) actions against Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu referred to Kejriwal as “Ahmad Shah Abdali,” heightening the political tensions.
The exchange started after the ED conducted searches related to a money laundering investigation involving Punjab’s industries minister Sanjeev Arora, who was subsequently arrested. Bittu accused AAP leadership of recalling Mughal rulers because their actions mirrored them, stating, “Punjab saw Ahmad Shah Abdali again and that Ahmad Shah Abdali is Kejriwal,” while accusing the AAP government of corruption.
Kejriwal’s comments came during a press conference where he alleged that the BJP was utilizing central agencies to intimidate opposition leaders into alignment with the party. He claimed, “Punjab is the land of the gurus. Several hundred years ago, Aurangzeb seized control of many parts of the country through crime and oppression. Modiji too has deceitfully seized control of many parts of the country.” He argued that the raids against Arora were politically motivated in retaliation for the minister’s refusal to join the BJP.
Kejriwal further suggested that agencies like the ED and CBI had lost their independence, alleging they were now tools for threatening and coercing opposition figures. He asserted, “Either join the BJP or get arrested,” in reference to the ED operations.
BJP leaders have dismissed Kejriwal’s assertions, emphasizing that the ED’s actions are linked to allegations of corruption rather than political vendetta. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva noted that Kejriwal appeared anxious, understanding that the investigation may reach him as well. “Arvind Kejriwal himself appears to be the mastermind behind this entire extortion conspiracy,” Sachdeva claimed.
BJP spokesperson R P Singh asserted that it was Kejriwal, rather than Modi, who exhibited behavior reminiscent of Aurangzeb in Punjab. He insisted that the crackdown should be viewed as an action against corruption, not the AAP. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar defended the ED raids, attributing them to corruption and corrupt practices.
The ED’s searches occur amidst escalating political strife in Punjab, particularly following the recent defection of several AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP. Kejriwal suggested that former AAP MP Ashok Mittal joined the BJP after facing ED raids, alleging similar pressure on Arora. Meanwhile, former AAP ally Raghav Chadha accused the AAP government of betraying Punjab and driving the state toward financial ruin, claiming that documents from the ED point to “round-tripping” of funds through international entities in the UAE, Canada, and Australia.
