Aman Arora Slams BJP and ED Over “Politically Motivated” Raid, Calls It Character Assassination

Chandigarh: Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Thursday strongly criticized the BJP and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that recent raids were part of a “politics of intimidation and character assassination” aimed at targeting opposition leaders.

Addressing a press conference, Arora rejected all allegations against him and said he had no prior knowledge of the ED raids conducted on Wednesday, as he was attending to his ailing mother in the ICU and later participating in departmental meetings. He said he only came to know about the raids through media reports and party colleagues.

He expressed shock over television visuals showing bundles of cash being displayed, and clarified that he remained engaged in official meetings till late afternoon with no connection to the developments being reported.

Arora further claimed that a “false narrative” was built throughout the day to link him to the case through his friendship with Gaurav Dhir, despite having no business or professional involvement. He added that ED’s initial statement did not mention his name or that of Gaurav Dhir, and alleged that his name was inserted later in a revised version to deliberately target him.

He also said he had never heard of several individuals named in the case prior to Wednesday and questioned the credibility of linking him to them.

Highlighting his long public career, Arora said he has served for over three decades without any corruption allegations. He challenged investigators to prove any wrongdoing, stating he would quit politics if even a single allegation of financial misconduct against him is proven.

Taking aim at the BJP, he alleged that central agencies like the ED and CBI are being misused as political tools in states approaching elections. He also pointed out alleged omissions in ED statements, including political donations by individuals linked to the case.

Arora reiterated that his relationship with Gaurav Dhir is purely personal and not business-related, adding that friendship should not be criminalized. He also extended an open challenge to the ED, saying he is ready to fully cooperate, including forensic examination of his phone, to prove his innocence.

He concluded by asserting that the entire episode appears to be politically driven, aimed at damaging his image through selective and misleading disclosures.