The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab finds itself engulfed in fear following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and party chief, Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The apprehension within AAP’s ranks is heightened by previous actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Punjab, including raids and questioning of officials linked to the state’s excise policy.
Sunil Jakhar, the BJP’s Punjab unit chief, has called for a thorough investigation by the ED and the Election Commission into AAP Punjab government’s excise policy. The spotlight intensifies on three Punjab officials, including former Finance Commissioner (Excise) K A P Sinha, Varun Roojam, and Naresh Dubey, who were involved in framing the state’s excise policy in 2022. Notably, promoters of companies awarded liquor licenses under Punjab’s policy are implicated in the Delhi excise case.
The ED alleges the involvement of Punjab officials in the framing of Delhi’s excise policy, with suspicions raised about their presence during crucial discussions. Roojam and Dubey faced scrutiny after being linked to the residence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is also embroiled in the Delhi excise case. The apprehension within AAP circles stems from concerns that these officials might turn approvers, leaving politicians vulnerable to ED scrutiny.
Sunil Jakhar’s remarks underscore growing political tensions, with accusations leveled against AAP of defrauding Punjab through the excise policy. AAP MP Raghav Chadha and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann face criticism for alleged negligence and allowing what Jakhar describes as the “open loot and plunder of the state.” Harsimrat Kaur Badal of the Akali Dal echoes these sentiments, calling for accountability and likening Punjab’s excise policy to the Delhi scandal.
As the political landscape in Punjab simmers with allegations and counter-accusations, the future of AAP’s governance and the fate of implicated officials remain uncertain amidst the specter of ongoing investigations.
