BJP’s Washing Machine Politics Won’t Work In Punjab: Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

AAP Punjab leader Meet Hayer accuses the BJP of deploying central agencies to intimidate opposition as elections loom, citing examples in Punjab and other states to describe a national pattern of pressure on democratic institutions.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deploying central agencies and political pressure tactics as elections approach. He claimed that recent actions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Punjab were politically motivated, designed to weaken democratic institutions and intimidate opposition leaders.

Meet Hayer alleged that raids on the homes of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal and Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora were part of a broader strategy led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to destabilise AAP by instilling fear among its leadership. "For the past 12 years, the BJP has followed the same model to strangulate democracy. As soon as elections near, they begin to intimidate opposition leaders through ED and CBI, or lure them into joining the party," he told reporters.

He insisted that such tactics would fail in Punjab, describing the state as a "land of principles and struggle". He added, "BJP's 'washing machine' model will never succeed here. Our workers see this pressure as an attack on their political and social values."

To support his claims, Meet Hayer cited examples from other states. He pointed to Assam, where Himanta Biswa Sarma faced CBI raids while in Congress but was declared "clean" after joining BJP. In Maharashtra, he noted that Ajit Pawar was accused of corruption yet swiftly appointed Deputy Chief Minister after aligning with BJP. He also referenced leaders such as Ravneet Bittu and Jyotiraditya Scindia, once close to Rahul Gandhi, who now occupy prominent positions in BJP, while long-time party workers are sidelined.

Turning to Punjab, Meet Hayer alleged that BJP was increasingly reliant on former Congress leaders like Sunil Jakhar and Rana Sodhi, rather than its own cadre. He criticised Jakhar and Bittu, saying they were betraying Punjab's traditions of resistance and sacrifice. "Punjab is a community that knows how to fight even by eating dry leaves, but does not know how to bow down," he remarked.

Meet Hayer also targeted AAP colleague Raghav Chadha, accusing him of abandoning the party during its most difficult period. He suggested Chadha's absence abroad during the arrests of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh raised suspicions of an understanding with BJP. "Even after Kejriwal received relief from the court, Chadha did not post a single message of support. This shows he is now acting at BJP's behest," he alleged.

Reaffirming AAP's stance, Meet Hayer said the party would resist all pressure. "BJP is forgetting that AAP leaders and workers are firmly committed to their principles. They tried the same in Delhi, but our leaders chose jail over surrender. The more BJP tries to intimidate, the more it will suffer in Punjab," he concluded.