Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar has alleged a covert understanding between senior BJP leaders and party MP Raghav Chadha, linking it to the Enforcement Directorate raids on Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal and a reported Z security given to Chadha.
The claims come amid a shift in Chadha’s security cover. The Punjab government recently withdrew his Z+ category security provided by the state police, while the Centre has now extended Z category security to him based on threat perception, with paramilitary forces deployed in Delhi and Punjab.
Speaking to the media, Kakkar said, “We have information from verified sources that there was a meeting of top-level BJP leaders with Raghav Chadha wherein it was decided that Raghav will be provided Z+ security and raids will be conducted at Ashok Mittal.”
She argued the developments were not coincidental and pointed to a larger political arrangement.
Kakkar further alleged that the ED raids were carried out at Chadha’s behest and criticised the move to grant him enhanced security. “We have come to know from these sources that recently Raghav Chadha ji had a meeting with the top leaders of BJP and these raids are happening on Raghav Chadha ji’s orders,” she said.
“The Z plus security which is being given to them today is being done on Raghav Chadha ji’s request. This is very unfortunate.”
She also questioned the timing of the action, noting that the raids took place just ahead of elections in Punjab. “This raid is happening on them right before the elections in Punjab,” Kakkar said.
‘NO COINCIDENCES IN POLITICS’, SAYS AAP
Explaining why the party suspects a political bargain, Kakkar said, “There are no coincidences in politics. Action speaks louder than words. Otherwise there is no reason the Central government will provide security to Raghav.”
She suggested that the developments surrounding Chadha and Mittal were interconnected.
“Today, the Z plus security is being discussed for them and on the same day, the raid is being done on Ashok Mittal ji who has been replaced by them. There is no reason for the raid it has happened on the orders of the same person,” she said.
ATTACK ON BJP AND INTERNAL SWIPE AT CHADHA
Kakkar also took a swipe at Chadha, accusing him of turning against the party that elevated him.
“Raghav Chadha ji should not have forgotten that Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party are those leaders and those parties who have taken an ordinary worker like them from the streets to the parliament,” she said.
Calling the alleged developments “highly condemnable”, she added that AAP would not be deterred. “If BJP raids on Aam Aadmi Party their purpose is to put obstacles in the elections, to stop people’s work We Aam Aadmi Party people are not afraid of jail.”
Kakkar further claimed that Chadha had now “become a part” of what she described as the BJP’s political strategy.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE CONTROVERSY
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at business and residential premises linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal in Punjab and Haryana under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Officials said the action covered multiple locations, including Jalandhar and Phagwara. Mittal, a businessman and educationist, heads the Lovely Group and is also the Chancellor of Lovely Professional University. He was recently appointed deputy leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.
POLITICAL REACTIONS: BJP VS AAP WAR OF WORDS
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit out at the Centre, calling the raids part of BJP’s election strategy.
“BJP begins preparations for Punjab elections. ED raids at the home and university of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal typical Modi style,” Mann said on X.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also accused the BJP of misusing agencies, saying, “Modi ji has started preparations for the elections in Punjab the people of Punjab will not tolerate this they would give a befitting reply to the BJP.”
Cabinet minister Baljit Kaur said, “Misusing central agencies like ED and CBI is the most important tool of BJP’s election strategy,” while education minister Harjot Singh Bains added, “No proof, no case, just pressure tactics.”
On the other side, Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu launched a sharp attack on AAP.
“Bhagwant Mann, your party is of thieves and robbers under Modi ji’s ‘Swachh Bharat’, the filth will certainly be cleaned up,” he said.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also criticised the state government, saying, “If your government does not take action, then the Government of India will have to take action against corruption.”
– Ends
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