Bhagwant Mann Slams ‘Raid’ at Delhi Residence, Calls It Political Vendetta

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday strongly criticized the alleged ‘raid’ at his Kapurthala House residence in New Delhi. He accused authorities of targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders while ignoring Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Parvesh Verma, who, according to Mann, was openly distributing cash ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Addressing a public rally in Greater Kailash, Mann questioned the selective enforcement of the law. “Parvesh Verma is openly distributing cash, even announcing on social media where he will do so, yet no action is taken against him. Meanwhile, raids are being carried out at the residences of Arvind Kejriwal, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and myself. Are we criminals? What have we done?” Mann asked.

Earlier in the day, Mann alleged that a team from the Election Commission, accompanied by Delhi Police, had come to raid his residence. Expressing his frustration in a post on X (formerly Twitter), he claimed that BJP leaders were distributing money without consequence while the authorities remained silent. “Today, a team from the Election Commission arrived at my Delhi residence, Kapurthala House, along with Delhi Police. BJP leaders are openly distributing money, yet the Election Commission and Delhi Police turn a blind eye. No action is taken against them, but a raid is conducted at my residence. This is an attempt to defame Punjabis at the behest of the BJP, and it is highly condemnable,” Mann posted.

However, Election Commission sources later clarified that no official raid was conducted at Mann’s residence. Returning Officer of the New Delhi constituency, OP Pandey, explained that a complaint had been received regarding money distribution in the area. “We received a complaint through the cVIGIL app regarding money distribution. As per protocol, we are required to address such complaints within 100 minutes. Our Flying Squad Team (FST) went to investigate but was not allowed inside. I personally arrived to request entry with a cameraman to conduct a fair investigation and close the matter,” Pandey stated. He further emphasized that any citizen could file such complaints, and the Election Commission was duty-bound to verify them.

AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the BJP, accusing it of distributing money and other valuable items in an attempt to sway voters. Speaking at a roadshow in the Kirari assembly constituency, Kejriwal mocked the situation, saying, “I don’t understand why raids are being conducted at the residence of Punjab’s Chief Minister when BJP leaders are the ones distributing cash, sarees, jackets, shoes, shawls, and gold chains.”

In another post on X, Kejriwal condemned the raid as an act of “BJP hooliganism.” He wrote, “BJP leaders are openly distributing money, and yet, the Election Commission and Delhi Police remain silent. Instead, they raid the Punjab CM’s house without any evidence. This is nothing but political vendetta. The BJP has turned government institutions into their personal machinery, strangling democracy. The Chief Minister elected by the people of Punjab has been insulted, and in doing so, every Punjabi has been insulted. The people will not remain silent.”

AAP leaders continued their attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of double standards. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioned the fairness of the Commission’s actions. “Why is the Election Commission not acting against BJP leaders who are openly distributing cash, sarees, and other items? Instead of taking action where it’s needed, they are conducting fake raids, spreading false rumors, and misleading the public. People should verify the facts for themselves,” Sisodia said.

AAP leader Durgesh Pathak echoed these sentiments, asserting that the people of Delhi stood with AAP. “It is clear that the Delhi Police and the Election Commission are acting under BJP’s influence. The entire nation can see BJP’s blatant distribution of money, yet no action is taken. Meanwhile, they raid the residence of Punjab’s CM. This is an unjustified attack on democracy, but the public supports us and will give them an answer on election day,” Pathak declared.

Security was intensified outside Kapurthala House following the controversy, as AAP workers gathered in protest. While the Election Commission insisted it was merely responding to a complaint, AAP leaders viewed the visit as politically motivated. The incident has further fueled tensions as Delhi heads into a crucial election, with AAP, BJP, and Congress locked in a fierce battle for control of the capital’s Assembly.

Delhi is set to go to polls on February 5, with the vote counting scheduled for February 8. In the 2020 Assembly elections, AAP secured a landslide victory by winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won eight seats. The Congress, which once dominated Delhi politics, failed to win a single seat. With allegations of corruption, political vendetta, and misuse of government agencies dominating the campaign narrative, the upcoming elections promise to be a high-stakes contest.