ED raids on AAP won't save BJP in Goa, says Atishi
Synopsis
Atishi Marlena has gone on the offensive after ED searches hit AAP leader Deepak Singla's premises, alleging the BJP is using the agency to map AAP's Goa network before elections — and drawing a direct parallel with what she calls an identical pattern deployed against TMC in West Bengal and AAP in Punjab.
Key Takeaways
The ED conducted searches at premises linked to AAP leader Deepak Singla in Delhi and Goa in an alleged money laundering case.
Former Delhi CM Atishi Marlena called the raids politically motivated, alleging nearly 50 ED officers in about 15 vehicles were deployed.
Atishi alleged the BJP had used the same ED tactic against TMC in West Bengal and AAP in Punjab , with jailed workers released after elections.
She cited Sanjeev Arora as an example of an AAP leader targeted after refusing to join the BJP.
AAP asserted it will not be intimidated and said the people of Goa are watching the BJP's actions.
Atishi Marlena, former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, on Monday, 18 May declared that Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids would not be enough to rescue the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from electoral defeat in Goa. Her remarks followed ED searches at premises linked to AAP leader Deepak Singla and others across Delhi and Goa in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
What Triggered the Remarks
The ED conducted searches at approximately 15 vehicles worth of personnel — nearly 50 officers, according to Atishi — at locations linked to Singla. Atishi, in a video message posted on social media platform X, alleged the raids were politically motivated and aimed at harvesting organisational data about AAP's network in Goa rather than pursuing a genuine financial investigation.
AAP's Pattern-of-Misuse Argument
Atishi drew a direct line between the Goa raids and what she characterised as a recurring BJP playbook. She alleged that the ED had previously targeted All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in West Bengal during elections, with several party workers sent to jail, only to be released once polling concluded. She further alleged that AAP leaders in Punjab had faced similar action, and that leaders who subsequently joined the BJP were spared. She also cited the case of AAP leader Sanjeev Arora, claiming action against him followed his refusal to switch sides.
'The whole nation saw how the BJP used the ED against the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The agency targeted Trinamool Congress leaders during the elections and several party workers were sent to jail,' Atishi said. She added that data related to TMC organisations was allegedly accessed through the agency.
The Goa Political Context
Atishi argued that the BJP is acutely aware of its vulnerability in Goa, where she claimed public dissatisfaction with the incumbent government is rising and AAP's popularity is growing. 'They know very well that the people of Goa are unhappy with the BJP government and that the party could be voted out of power,' she said. The raids, she alleged, were an attempt to map AAP's grassroots structure ahead of the next state election.
AAP's Response and Defiance
Atishi was unequivocal that the party would not be intimidated. 'I want to tell the BJP that we are not afraid of ED threats. The people of Goa are watching everything. The BJP has ruined Goa, and even ED raids will not be able to save the party there,' she said. The BJP has not issued an immediate response to her allegations. The ED has not publicly commented on the political characterisation of the searches, which are part of an ongoing alleged money laundering investigation.
Point of View
Rather than pursue financial evidence, is a serious charge that remains unsubstantiated beyond her claim. What is notable is the pattern argument: if AAP can demonstrate a credible before-and-after correlation between ED activity and electoral calendars in Bengal and Punjab, it becomes a harder charge to dismiss. Goa is a small, competitive state where perception battles matter as much as ground organisation. Whether the ED action energises AAP's base or deters its workers is the real political variable here — and that outcome is far from settled.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED raid premises linked to AAP's Deepak Singla?
The ED conducted searches at premises linked to AAP leader Deepak Singla in Delhi and Goa as part of an alleged money laundering investigation. The agency has not publicly elaborated on the specifics of the case.
What did Atishi Marlena allege about the ED raids?
Atishi alleged the raids were politically motivated, aimed at gathering AAP's organisational data in Goa ahead of elections rather than pursuing a genuine financial probe. She claimed nearly 50 officers in about 15 vehicles were involved.
How does AAP connect the Goa raids to West Bengal and Punjab?
Atishi alleged the BJP used the ED against TMC leaders in West Bengal during elections, jailing workers who were released after polling ended, and conducted similar raids on AAP leaders in Punjab. She argued Goa is the next target in this pattern.
What is the political significance of the raids for Goa?
Atishi claimed AAP's popularity is rising in Goa while public dissatisfaction with the BJP government grows, making the state electorally vulnerable for the BJP. She argued the raids are an attempt to disrupt AAP's grassroots network before the next state election.
How has AAP said it will respond to the ED action?
AAP, through Atishi, has said the party will not be intimidated by ED threats. She asserted that the people of Goa are watching and that no amount of enforcement action will reverse the BJP's political standing in the state.
