Punjab chief minister alleges misuse of agencies ahead of polls

The Central Bureau of Investigation’s raid on the Chandigarh camp office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on October 6 has intensified the state’s election narrative. The raid, executed under the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, resulted in an FIR and a thorough search of the office.

Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, labeled the operation a "BJP‑engineered red‑herring" aimed at destabilising the incumbent government two months before voting. He criticized the central government for allegedly misleading Punjab on multiple fronts, including the farmers' movement, water issues, and the Punjab University saga.

Kejriwal warned that the BJP, lacking a clear path to victory in the state, is turning to the CBI and ED as political tools. He pledged that the electorate would respond by handing CM Mann a decisive win, potentially securing more than a hundred seats.

CM Mann, in his own X post, accused the BJP of beginning its election campaign early and using central agencies to defame the state administration. He expressed confidence that the people’s affection for his government will blunt such tactics.

The CBI’s information department released a statement confirming that the raid was prompted by high‑court directives and an ED report. The agency is investigating alleged corruption involving the chief minister’s office and close aides, covering accusations such as influencing IAS/IPS postings, tender conditions, land‑use changes, and pre‑emptive sharing of draft policies with private parties.