AAP Alleges Political Vendetta After ED Arrests Goa Co-Incharge Deepak Singla

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested Aam Aadmi Party Goa co-incharge Deepak Singla and carried out searches at several addresses in Delhi and Goa. AAP leaders alleged that the BJP-led Union government is misusing central agencies to target rivals before the Goa Assembly elections due in February, and claimed opposition figures who refuse to join the BJP are being singled out.

AAP leaders drew parallels between the ED action in Goa and earlier operations in West Bengal and Punjab. They alleged that enforcement agencies were used there during state polls to intimidate opposition workers and obtain election-related information. According to the party, the latest raids follow the same pattern and are aimed at weakening its organisational strength in Goa.

ED raids AAP Goa Deepak Singla: Atishi links action to national issues and polls

AAP Goa in-charge and Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi argued that the central government is focused on opposition leaders while nationwide problems mount. Atishi stated, "Today in our country, NEET exams are being leaked, the prices of petrol, diesel, and CNG are rising every day, and the rupee continues to weaken against the dollar. But PM Modi has only one job, filing false cases against opposition leaders and getting them arrested."

Atishi said the arrest directly relates to Deepak Singla’s political role in Goa. Atishi claimed, "On Monday, the ED arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader Deepak Singla because he was building an organisation in Goa to fight against the BJP. I want to tell PM Modi that no matter how many leaders of our party you arrest, we will continue working in the interest of the country."

ED raids AAP Goa Deepak Singla: Kejriwal and others defend party leaders

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of trying to force leaders into its fold using agencies. Kejriwal posted on 'X’, "Deepak Singla has not been arrested because he did anything wrong. He has been arrested because he was working against the BJP and refused to join the BJP. Deepak Singla is brave and is fighting for the country."

Kejriwal also mentioned Punjab leader Sanjeev Arora while commenting on alleged pressure tactics. Kejriwal wrote, "Sanjeev Arora is very brave and patriotic. The whole of Punjab is proud of him." AAP leaders say Arora faced action after resisting attempts to make Arora switch sides, while leaders who joined the BJP did not face similar scrutiny.

ED raids AAP Goa Deepak Singla: AAP cites Bengal and Punjab 'pattern’

Atishi pointed to earlier West Bengal polls while describing the current ED raids. Atishi said, "The entire country saw how the BJP used the ED against the Trinamool Congress during the West Bengal Assembly elections. People working with the election management agency I-PAC were sent to jail, and just before the elections, all the data of the Trinamool Congress was stolen through the ED. As soon as the elections ended, all those people were released from jail."

The AAP Goa in-charge added that similar steps were then seen in Punjab. Atishi stated, "After Bengal, the BJP's next attack began in Punjab, where repeated raids were conducted on Aam Aadmi Party leaders. The leaders who came under pressure and joined the BJP faced no action. But leaders like Sanjeev Arora, who clearly refused to join the BJP, were sent to jail."

Atishi alleged that Goa has now become the latest stage for such tactics. Atishi said, "After Punjab, Goa has now become the BJP's next target. The BJP is doing this because it knows very well that people in Goa hate the BJP government. The BJP is frightened that in the Goa Assembly elections to be held in February, the people here are going to throw them out of power. It is out of fear of the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party that the ED is conducting raids today at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party Goa Co-inchargeDeepak Singla."

According to Atishi, the ED’s interest extends beyond top office-bearers to local workers. Atishi claimed, "Here in Goa, raids are not only being conducted on senior leaders, but also at the homes of several 'karyakartas'. These raids on 'karyakartas' and organisation in-charges are being carried out solely to steal their election data. Exactly the same way the ED acted against the TMC in Bengal. All the data was stolen and handed over to the BJP. The same game is now being repeated in Goa," she revealed.

Issuing a warning to the BJP, Atishi maintained that agency action would not deter the party. Atishi said, "I want to clearly tell the BJP that the Aam Aadmi Party is not going to be afraid of your threats or the ED. The people of Goa are watching everything, how the BJP has worsened the condition of Goa over the last 15 years and troubled its people. These fake ED raids will also not save the BJP from a crushing defeat in Goa."

Senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia linked the use of agencies with wider governance concerns. Sisodia posted on 'X’, "By using institutions like the ED, CBI, and Election Commission as their personal goons, Modi Ji may be able to stop opposition leaders from winning elections. But he cannot handle the country's economy or the falling value and dignity of the rupee."

Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj also highlighted the scope of Monday’s searches. Bharadwaj wrote on 'X’, "On Monday, the ED conducted raids at several locations in Delhi and Goa, including the residence of Aam Aadmi Party Goa Co-inchargeDeepak Singla. Aam Aadmi Party leaders are continuously being harassed by agencies such as the ED, CBI, and ACB." The ED has not publicly detailed the specific allegations related to the current action.