Punjab BJP urges AAP govt to answer ED-GMADA probe with facts, not allegations
Synopsis
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon has called out the AAP government for dismissing ED searches at GMADA as political vendetta — pointedly noting that AAP's own MPs had earlier flagged corruption at the same body. With the 2027 elections approaching, the GMADA probe is fast becoming a high-stakes political battleground.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon on 24 September 2026 urged the AAP government to respond to the ED's GMADA probe with facts and records, not political rhetoric.
Dhillon alleged the ED had repeatedly written to Punjab Police requesting an FIR , but the state government did not act.
He alleged that officials under scrutiny had avoided appearing before the agency.
Dhillon pointed out that AAP MPs themselves had previously raised corruption concerns over GMADA .
AAP activists staged a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali , which Dhillon condemned as 'unruly behaviour'.
Both sides are likely to escalate the dispute as the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approach.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Thursday, 24 September 2026, hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for characterising the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) searches at multiple locations, including the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), as political vendetta ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Dhillon urged the state government to respond to the agency's queries with documents and records rather than political allegations.
What Dhillon Said
Dhillon was unambiguous in his challenge to the AAP leadership. 'If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to fear an investigation. The questions raised by the agency must be answered with documents and facts, not through press conferences and protests,' he said in a statement.
He further alleged that the ED had repeatedly written to the Punjab Police requesting registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the matter, but the state government had failed to act on those communications. He also alleged that officials under scrutiny had avoided appearing before the agency.
BJP's Core Argument Against AAP
Dhillon pointed to what he called an internal contradiction within the ruling party: he alleged that AAP Members of Parliament themselves had previously raised the issue of corruption in GMADA, and that the party was now, in his words, 'staging a drama to hide its own dishonesty.' He argued that labelling every investigation as politically motivated does not address the substantive questions surrounding the case.
Dhillon was careful to distance the BJP from any direct role in the probe. 'The BJP neither conducts the work of investigating agencies nor does it declare anyone guilty. The law should take its own course, the truth should come out, and accountability of those involved in corruption must be ensured,' he said.
AAP's Position and Protest Outside GMADA
The AAP had earlier questioned the timing and nature of the ED action, stating that it raises serious concerns when the state government is actively engaged in development work across Punjab. The party framed the searches as an attempt to disrupt governance.
Dhillon also condemned what he described as unruly behaviour by AAP activists who gathered outside the GMADA office in Mohali in protest following the searches.
Background and Political Context
The ED searches at GMADA and other locations have added a fresh flashpoint to the already charged political climate in Punjab, with both the ruling party and the principal opposition trading accusations. This comes amid a broader pattern of central investigative agencies conducting searches in states governed by opposition parties — a trend that has consistently drawn political controversy across India.
With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections now on the political horizon, the dispute over the ED's actions is likely to intensify, with both sides seeking to frame the narrative around accountability versus political interference.
Point of View
Dhillon attempts to neutralise the 'political vendetta' defence before it gains traction. What this exchange obscures, however, is the substantive question of what the ED investigation has actually found — something neither side has addressed publicly. The pattern of central agencies operating in opposition-governed states has become a permanent feature of Indian politics, making it harder for any probe to be assessed purely on its merits. Punjab voters approaching 2027 will need to sift through the political noise to reach the facts — a task that neither the ruling party nor the opposition appears to be making easier.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the BJP-AAP row over the ED searches in Punjab?
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at several locations in Punjab, including the GMADA office, prompting AAP to call the action political vendetta ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon responded by urging the AAP government to address the probe through facts and documents rather than political allegations.
What is GMADA and why is it under ED scrutiny?
GMADA stands for Greater Mohali Area Development Authority, a body overseeing urban development in the Greater Mohali region of Punjab. The ED conducted searches at its offices as part of what it described as an ongoing investigation; the specific allegations have not been fully detailed publicly, but Dhillon alleged that AAP MPs had themselves previously raised corruption concerns about the body.
What did BJP's Kewal Singh Dhillon allege about Punjab Police?
Dhillon alleged that the ED had repeatedly written to the Punjab Police requesting the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the case, but the state government had failed to act on those requests. He also alleged that officials under scrutiny had avoided appearing before the agency.
How has the AAP government responded to the ED searches?
The AAP government questioned the timing and nature of the searches, arguing that conducting such actions while the state government is engaged in development work raises serious concerns. The party has characterised the probe as politically motivated, a charge the BJP has rejected.
What is the political significance of the GMADA ED probe ahead of 2027?
With Punjab Assembly elections due in 2027, the ED searches at GMADA have become a flashpoint between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP. Both parties are seeking to shape the narrative — AAP framing it as central interference, and BJP positioning it as an accountability issue — making the probe a preview of the broader electoral battle ahead.
