Sack Sanjeev Arora if he doesn't resign from Punjab cabinet: BJP's Ashwani Sharma

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma on Sunday asked the AAP government in the state to sack industries minister Sanjeev Arora if he does not resign following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had arrested Arora, 62, on Saturday in connection with an alleged Rs 100 crore GST fraud-linked money laundering case involving certain entities linked to him. He has been sent to the ED's custody for a week by a Gurugram PMLA court. Speaking to the media here, BJP leader Sharma alleged that there was rampant corruption prevailing under the Bhagwant Mann regime. He questioned the Mann regime for not taking action against Sharma, who holds the portfolios of Industries and Commerce, Local government and Power. ''Your minister has been arrested by the ED. Do you have any morality? If yes, then take his (Arora's) resignation, and if he does not resign, then remove him from the ministry,'' said Sharma. Sharma said whenever investigating agencies take action against AAP leaders, their party immediately starts raising slogans that ''democracy and the Constitution are under threat''. ''Neither Punjab nor democracy is in danger, but the AAP government's corrupt system is certainly under threat,'' he said. He alleged that the Punjab government is trying to create unrest and political confrontation to shield corruption and administrative failures. Drawing parallels with West Bengal, Sharma alleged that the AAP government was attempting to create an atmosphere of ''fear and political violence in Punjab''. He said Punjabis have already rejected such politics and will not allow the state to move toward instability and lawlessness. Sharma accused Chief Minister Mann of making irresponsible statements on sensitive issues related to national security and terrorism. He said Punjab has suffered immensely due to terrorism in the past, and any attempt to politicise such issues is dangerous for the state's peace and harmony. He reiterated that the BJP believes in development, farmers' welfare, a debt-free Punjab and a drug-free society. Sharma urged the AAP government to focus on governance rather than political vendetta and propaganda. He warned the Mann government against intimidating opposition voices and said BJP workers would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab and its people fearlessly. AAP dubbed the ED raid at Arora's residence and his subsequent arrest as politically motivated.

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