AAP backs Vigilance action against Bikram Majithia; political vendetta: Opposition

Punjab's ruling AAP on Wednesday defended the arrest of SAD leader Bikram Majithia for allegedly laundering Rs 540 crore of drug money, even as Opposition parties termed the action a “political vendetta”.

Aam Aadmi Party Amritsar (North) legislator Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh too questioned the timing of the move and the rationale behind it.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the arrest of Majithia, saying it was done with the “sole purpose of suppressing the voice of the Opposition and diverting attention from the scams of AAP government”.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the party stood with Majithia.

“It is clear that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been unnerved by the resolute manner in which he has taken on the government and exposed its corrupt and immoral acts. We will not be cowed down,” he said.

‘Bid to build false narrative’

Meanwhile, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi accused AAP of building a “false narrative” against Opposition leaders over the drug issue.

He expressed apprehension that the government might target some Congress leaders too.

Channi said it was his government that had booked Majithia in a drug case in December 2021 based on a report of an anti-drug special task force. “But he got bail as the police failed to question him,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said the arrest “violated democratic principles”. “Earlier, they did the same thing with (Congress leader) Sukhpal Singh Khaira,” he said.

Khaira too condemned the action. “I strongly condemn the raid against Bikram Majithia, which was carried out with political vendetta in mind. Punjab has now turned into a police state,” he said.

‘Selective targeting’

State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said, “The law must take its course. But when institutions are used to selectively target individuals while others walk free, it erodes the credibility of both justice and governance.” “Selective action or inaction as seen in cases of Bikram Majithia or against certain Congressmen undermines the principle of equal justice under law,” he added.

AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said conducting a raid at someone's house early in the morning was against principles. He also questioned the rationale behindthe renewed action against Majithia, saying, “I may have political disagreements or ideological differences with someone, but when it comes to principles, religion, and integrity, it becomes necessary to speak out.”

‘Action based on evidence’

Punjab Minister and state AAP chief Aman Arora rejected the criticism, saying the action was “strictly based on evidence”. “Claims of political vendetta are baseless. The Punjab Government is not engaging in political witch-hunting but focusing on ensuring justice," said Arora.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema too refuted the allegations. “People of Punjab have seen enough of failures of previous regimes. Our government has launched this battle to ensure no drug trafficker, big or small, escapes justice. This fight is for the future of Punjab," he said.