Punjab politics heats up as BJP, AAP clash after ED arrest of Minister Sanjeev Arora; View Pics
Harvinder Kaur
Chandigarh, May 10, 2026: Punjab witnessed intense political protests and sharp exchanges on Sunday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora in a money laundering case, triggering statewide demonstrations by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and counter-protests by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The political confrontation was most visible outside the BJP office near Mittal Mall in Bathinda, where BJP and AAP workers came face-to-face during rival protests, creating tense scenes and prompting heavy police deployment.
BJP leaders and supporters demanded the resignation of Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on moral grounds. The protest was led by former MLA and BJP Bathinda Urban president Sarup Chand Singla, who accused the AAP government of shielding corruption.
Soon after the BJP protest began, AAP workers led by party MLAs and local leaders also reached the spot, resulting in heated sloganeering between both groups. Police personnel immediately intervened and formed a human chain to prevent clashes and maintain law and order.
While BJP workers raised slogans against the Punjab government and demanded accountability from the Chief Minister, AAP leaders accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing central agencies such as the ED and CBI to target opposition parties ahead of elections.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar launched a fresh attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that the government was focusing on protecting “corrupt leaders” instead of addressing pressing public issues.
Jakhar said toxic black water was flowing through canals in several areas while the cleaning of sem drains had been ignored, leading to worsening waterlogging problems in Fazilka district. He claimed that kinnow orchards, considered a symbol of crop diversification in Punjab, were being destroyed due to rising salinity and poor drainage management.
“Wake up, Chief Minister. People are falling ill because of contaminated water, while farmers are suffering heavy losses,” Jakhar said.
Meanwhile, AAP launched coordinated protests across multiple districts, including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Fazilka, accusing the BJP government at the Centre of carrying out political vendetta through investigative agencies.
AAP MLA Kaka Brar alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government was trying to weaken opposition parties across the country through intimidation and misuse of agencies.
“The BJP is indulging in politics of pressure and fear. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to dominate every political party in the country,” Brar said during a protest.
In Sri Muktsar Sahib, AAP leaders and workers marched on the streets against what they termed “BJP’s dictatorship,” while women supporters also participated in the demonstrations and vowed to resist political vendetta.
In Jalandhar, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann and MLA Balkar Singh led protests at different locations against the alleged misuse of central agencies. Party leaders said the BJP would not succeed in silencing AAP leaders through ED action.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Balbir Singh also strongly criticised the BJP, alleging that the party relied on fear tactics instead of governance and development.
“The BJP does not contest elections on work. It contests elections through raids, pressure tactics and fear politics,” he said.
AAP Punjab working president and MLA Sherry Kalsi led protests in Gurdaspur, where party workers raised slogans against the BJP and accused the Centre of misusing the ED and CBI to destabilise opposition governments.
Similar protests were also held in Fazilka, where AAP leaders accused the BJP of deliberately targeting Punjab and attempting to create an atmosphere of fear in the state.
The ED arrest of Sanjeev Arora has now escalated into a major political flashpoint in Punjab, intensifying the ongoing confrontation between the ruling AAP and the BJP ahead of key political battles in the state.