Times News Network
Former minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu
Chandigarh: BJP functionary and former Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday demanded chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation over Enforcement Directorate (ED) findings, alleging they raised serious questions about the functioning of the Punjab govt. AAP hit back, accusing BJP of using central agencies for political vendetta ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.Bittu said the ED material referred to alleged interference in transfers and postings, policy and administrative decisions, arms licences, land and real estate dealings, access to confidential govt information and alleged payments and other benefits.“The Punjab BJP will not allow this issue to be brushed under the carpet. Until Bhagwant Mann resigns and gives a satisfactory explanation to the people of Punjab, the Punjab BJP will continue to take this battle to the streets,” he said.Bittu also referred to alleged WhatsApp communications involving Nitin Gohal and claimed the ED document recorded his alleged role in influencing transfers and postings and circulation of draft orders and confidential information. He asked the CM to explain “who authorised this system, who benefited from it and how high up did the chain of influence go”.AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang accused BJP of targeting the Mann govt ahead of the polls. “Since Punjab elections are approaching, the BJP is relying on central investigative agencies such as the ED, income tax department and the CBI to target and harass AAP leaders and workers,” he said.Kang claimed BJP had failed to make significant political gains in Punjab and was misusing central agencies to prevent AAP from repeating its electoral performance. Calling the move “vendetta politics”, he said the ED, income tax department and CBI were being used as “political weapons” against AAP leaders and workers.“Even today, CM Mann is the most popular leader in Punjab,” Kang said.
