Kejriwal compares PM Modi to Aurangzeb amid ED arrest of Punjab minister
Synopsis
Arvind Kejriwal invoked Aurangzeb to attack PM Modi hours after the ED arrested Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora under PMLA — framing federal agency action as political persecution of Punjab ahead of what AAP sees as an escalating Centre-state confrontation.
Key Takeaways
Arvind Kejriwal compared PM Modi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb at a press conference on 9 May .
The remarks followed the ED's arrest of Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora from his residence in Chandigarh under the PMLA, 2002 .
Kejriwal alleged ED raids are politically motivated, citing the case of former AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal , who reportedly joined the BJP the day after a raid on his premises.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed Arora was arrested for alleged GST fraud .
No official statement from the ED on Arora's arrest had been issued at the time of reporting.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday, 9 May likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, accusing him of dishonestly seizing control of large parts of the country and now targeting Punjab. The remarks came at a press conference in New Delhi following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrest of Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora from his official residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh.
Kejriwal's Aurangzeb Comparison
Addressing reporters, Kejriwal drew a pointed parallel between the Mughal emperor and the Prime Minister.
Point of View
Not a spontaneous outburst — timed to the hour of Arora's arrest and designed to activate Sikh and Punjabi identity sentiment. The BJP has long used the ED as a pressure instrument against opposition-governed states, a charge it consistently denies; but the pattern Kejriwal cites — raids followed by defections to the BJP — has recurred often enough to warrant scrutiny beyond partisan framing. What is missing from AAP's narrative is any engagement with the substance of the money laundering allegations against Arora. Punjab voters will ultimately weigh both the credibility of the charges and the credibility of the political victimhood claim.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arvind Kejriwal compare PM Modi to Aurangzeb?
Kejriwal made the comparison on 9 May at a press conference responding to the ED's arrest of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora. He argued that, like Aurangzeb, Modi had used coercive means to control states and was now targeting Punjab through agency raids.
Who is Sanjeev Arora and why was he arrested?
Sanjeev Arora is a Cabinet minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government. The ED arrested him from his official residence in Chandigarh following search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged the arrest relates to GST fraud; the ED had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting.
What did Kejriwal allege about the ED raids in Punjab?
Kejriwal alleged the raids are politically motivated, claiming they are used to pressure AAP leaders into joining the BJP. He cited the case of former AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, who reportedly joined the BJP the day after a raid on his premises.
What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)?
The PMLA of 2002 is a central law that empowers the ED to investigate, attach, and prosecute individuals and entities involved in money laundering. It has been invoked in several high-profile cases against opposition politicians across states.
How does this fit into the broader AAP-Centre conflict?
AAP has repeatedly accused the Centre of using federal agencies to destabilise its governments in Delhi and Punjab. Kejriwal referenced the now-withdrawn farm laws and alleged interference in Punjab University and rural development funds as part of a sustained campaign against the state.
