Akali Dal acting as BJP's mouthpiece, says Punjab Finance Minister Cheema
Synopsis
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has publicly branded the Shiromani Akali Dal as BJP's political mouthpiece, invoking the 'Udta Punjab' era of 2007–2017 and accusing the Centre of weaponising the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department against Opposition governments. The remarks mark a sharp escalation in AAP's rhetoric against both SAD and the BJP ahead of future electoral cycles in Punjab.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on 12 August accused Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of acting as BJP's spokesperson in Chandigarh .
Cheema alleged SAD weaponised an Enforcement Directorate communication to the state DGP to target AAP .
He held the SAD-BJP coalition government of 2007–2017 responsible for Punjab's drug crisis, desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji , and economic decline.
Cheema accused the Centre of deploying the ED , CBI , and Income Tax Department against Opposition-ruled states including West Bengal and Bihar .
The BJP has not yet responded to the specific allegations made on 12 August .
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday, 12 August launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that SAD has abandoned its ideological roots and is now functioning as a political front for the BJP. Cheema made the remarks in Chandigarh, accusing the two parties of colluding to defame the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab.
Cheema's Core Allegation
Addressing the media, Cheema referred to SAD as the 'Chitta Party' and BJP as the 'ED Party', asserting that SAD has 'completely abandoned its principles.' He alleged that a communication addressed to the Director General of Police (DGP) by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being 'weaponised' by the Akali Dal to target AAP. 'This clearly exposes that SAD is functioning as an extended wing and spokesperson of the BJP, desperately trying to find a political lease of life,' Cheema said.
SAD-BJP Rule Under Fire
Cheema invoked the 2007–2017 period of SAD-BJP governance in Punjab, holding the erstwhile coalition directly responsible for what he described as the destruction of the state's social fabric, economy, and youth. He alleged that rampant drug trafficking, the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and widespread corruption had collectively earned Punjab the grim label of 'Udta Punjab' during that decade. He further claimed that parents were compelled to sell land, homes, and savings to send their children abroad, fearing the drug mafia allegedly nurtured under that government.
Attack on Central Agencies
Turning his criticism toward the BJP-led Union Government, Cheema accused the Centre of systematically deploying investigative agencies — including the ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department — to intimidate Opposition leaders and destabilise elected state governments. He cited West Bengal, Bihar, and AAP's own leadership as examples of such targeting. 'Central agencies are regularly deployed to intimidate Opposition leaders, threaten local administration, and subvert elected state governments across the country,' he alleged.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
Cheema also accused the BJP of having 'no faith in democratic values or the Constitution' drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He claimed that whenever elections approach or an Opposition government holds firm, 'the machinery of central agencies is unleashed to threaten political opponents and break governments.' These are allegations the BJP has consistently denied in similar contexts across the country.
Political Context
The remarks come amid an ongoing tussle between the AAP-led Punjab government and central agencies, with the ED's communication to the state DGP serving as the immediate flashpoint. This is not the first time AAP has accused the BJP of using federal investigative bodies for political ends — similar charges have been levelled by Opposition-ruled states in Jharkhand, Delhi, and Telangana. The war of words signals a further hardening of positions ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
Point of View
AAP seeks to neutralise a potentially damaging federal agency communication before it gains political traction. The invocation of 'Udta Punjab' is well-worn but still potent in a state where the drug crisis remains a lived reality for millions. What is notable, however, is that AAP itself now governs Punjab and faces its own accountability questions on drug enforcement. Framing every central agency action as political vendetta risks normalising a defence that Opposition parties across the spectrum have used — often without substantiation. The real question Punjab voters will eventually ask is not who deployed the agencies, but whether the state is measurably safer today.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema attack the Akali Dal?
Cheema accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of functioning as a political mouthpiece for the BJP, alleging it weaponised an Enforcement Directorate communication to the Punjab DGP to defame the AAP government. He made the remarks in Chandigarh on 12 August.
What is the 'Chitta Party' and 'ED Party' reference Cheema used?
Cheema used 'Chitta Party' as a pejorative for the Shiromani Akali Dal — 'chitta' is a colloquial term for heroin in Punjab — referencing the drug crisis the party is blamed for during its 2007–2017 rule. He called the BJP the 'ED Party', alleging it uses the Enforcement Directorate as a political weapon.
What did Cheema say about the 2007–2017 SAD-BJP government in Punjab?
Cheema held the SAD-BJP coalition directly responsible for Punjab's drug menace, the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and widespread corruption during their decade in power. He alleged families were forced to send children abroad out of fear of a drug mafia he claims was nurtured by that government.
Which states did Cheema cite as targets of central agency action?
Cheema named West Bengal, Bihar, and AAP's own leadership as examples of Opposition-ruled entities allegedly targeted by the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department under the BJP-led Union Government.
Has the BJP or SAD responded to Cheema's allegations?
No formal response from the BJP or SAD to Cheema's 12 August statement has been reported. Both parties have previously rejected similar allegations of political misuse of central agencies as baseless.
