‘Clean India policy’: BJP hits back as AAP cries foul over ED raids at Ashoke Mittal's home, premises

JALANDHAR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple premises linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP and Lovely Professional University founder-chancellor Ashok Kumar Mittal.The action comes just days after Mittal was appointed as AAP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. Officials said the searches are part of a Foreign Exchange Management Act probe. Around 10 locations across Jalandhar, Phagwara and Gurgaon were covered, including Mittal's residence on Mall Road in Jalandhar Cantt and two linked educational institutions in Gurgaon, Tetr College of Business and Masters Union College of Business. The searches began simultaneously in the morning and continued late into the evening. The development has triggered a political row, with AAP accusing the BJP-led Centre of misusing central agencies to target the opposition. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann posted on X: "BJP begins preparations for Punjab elections... ED raids at the home and university of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal... typical Modi style..." Quoting a couplet by a poet in the same post, the CM wrote, "Hum vo patte nahin, jo shakh se tut kar gir jayenge. Andhiyon ko keh do apni aukaat mein rahen (We are not leaves that will fall off the branch; tell the storms to remain within their limits)." AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal reposted Mann's statement, writing: "Modi ji has started preparations for the elections in Punjab. But the people of Punjab will not tolerate this. They will give a befitting reply to the BJP." Party leader Manish Sisodia said: "...Whenever elections are held in any state, Modi ji sends the first contingent of his election army — ED and CBI.... The drama of conducting raids unfolds... Then the force that incites riots goes... After that, there are visits by Amit Shah and Modi ji. But Modi ji, please keep this in mind — this is Punjab. Here, those who hate Babasaheb and Bhagat Singh won't be successful." The timing of the ED action has drawn scrutiny given Mittal's new role in Parliament. The AAP recently moved to replace Chadha as deputy leader, requesting the Rajya Sabha secretariat to reallocate Chadha's speaking time to other party members. Mittal had described the leadership transition as a "continuous process." "Earlier, ND Gupta ji was deputy leader, then Raghav ji took over, and now I have been given the responsibility. Tomorrow, someone else may get the opportunity," Mittal had said. After AAP got him elected to the Rajya Sabha, Mittal has since served on several parliamentary committees, including defence and finance, and has participated in international parliamentary delegations. The AAP currently has 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi. Bittu, Jakhar justify ED raidReplying to CM Bhagwant Mann's post, Union minister of state Ravneet Bittu posted on X: "Bhagwant Mann, your party is full of thieves and looters. The people of Punjab are filing complaints against the state's ministers, and investigative agencies are catching your corrupt MPs. Modi's policy is for a clean India, and under it, the filth will certainly be cleaned up." State BJP president Sunil Jakhar posted, "Who calls their own yoghurt sour, chief minister Bhagwant Mann? The actions of your legislators, ministers and MPs are becoming public knowledge every day. If your govt does not take action, then the Govt of India will have to act against corruption. Moreover, the high court has already ordered an investigation into the scholarship scam."(With inputs from agencies)