New Delhi, May 9
Rajya Sabha BJP MP Raghav Chadha launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party, alleging that the party has betrayed the trust and mandate given by the people of Punjab. He said AAP had promised to build a prosperous and vibrant Punjab, but instead pushed the state towards financial ruin.
The people of Punjab gave AAP a mandate to run the Punjab government, not to loot it. The AAP promised to make Punjab ‘Rangla’ but have worked to make treasury of Punjab ‘Kangla’, Chadha said.
Reacting to reports that ₹21 lakh in cash was allegedly thrown from a ninth-floor balcony during an Enforcement Directorate raid, Chadha questioned the legitimacy and source of the money.
Chadha said no honest person would discard money earned through lawful means in such a manner. If this money had been earned honestly, nobody would throw it from the ninth floor during a raid. Forget ₹21 lakh, no one would throw away even ₹21 earned honestly. He further added that the incident itself raises serious questions regarding corruption and misuse of public funds.
Chadha referred to documents reportedly emerging during the investigation that allegedly point towards round-tripping of nearly ₹100s of crores through companies based in UAE, Canada and Australia. He highlighted that the alleged movement of funds through overseas entities indicates a large-scale corruption network operating behind the scenes.
The documents emerging from the investigation suggest that companies were created in UAE, Canada and Australia to facilitate round-tripping of funds. This is one of the biggest betrayals of Punjab’s mandate, Chadha said.
Chadha further added that these revelations validate concerns repeatedly raised earlier by leaders including 7 Rajya Sabha MPs who had recently distanced themselves from the party.
Chadha stated that several leaders who had parted ways with AAP had consistently warned that the party was no longer functioning on the principles it once claimed to stand for. He alleged that internal attempts to raise concerns regarding corruption were suppressed.
We had repeatedly warned that AAP had fallen into the hands of corrupt and compromised individuals. Whenever we tried raising these issues within the party, we were silenced, Chadha said. He further added that the latest developments have now exposed the reality of AAP before the people of Punjab.
Highlighting Punjab’s worsening financial condition, Chadha said it is deeply unfortunate that while the state remains burdened with nearly ₹5 lakh crore debt, allegations are surfacing about public money being siphoned off and routed overseas.
On one hand, Punjab is struggling under an enormous debt burden. On the other hand, allegations are emerging that Punjab’s treasury is being looted and money is being routed abroad through hawala, Chadha said.
Chadha further added that the people of Punjab deserve accountability, honesty and transparency from those in power.
Concluding his remarks, Chadha said that while investigative agencies will carry out their legal responsibilities, the ultimate judgment will come from the people of Punjab.
Chadha said that the agencies will do their job, but the real action will be taken by the people of Punjab. The people will answer this betrayal and loot democratically in the 2027 Punjab elections.
The people of Punjab will reject corruption, betrayal and misuse of public trust, and will give a decisive response in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, Chadha said.
