EC Raids Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Delhi Residence; AAP Leaders Say the Move 'Reeks Of Dirty Politics'

With less than a week left for the high-octane Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, drama unfolded on Thursday at the Punjab Government's Kapurthala House in Delhi as a Flying Surveillance Team (FST) of the Election Commission of India (ECI), accompanied by Delhi Police, arrived to search the premises.

Taking it to the social media platform X, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann alleged that the raid was politically motivated, while the AAP slammed the move as 바카라�BJP바카라�s hooliganism,바카라� accusing ECI of ignoring 바카라�blatant violations by the BJP바카라� while subjecting Punjab바카라�s chief minister to an 바카라�insult바카라�.

Kapurthala House is a property designated for the state바카라�s chief minister's stay during his visits to the national capital. The search operation came following a complaint of alleged 바카라�money distribution바카라� filed on the apex poll body's public cVIGIL platform which allows citizens to report Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, on Thursday, the FST and a team of Delhi Police reached Kapurthala House at around 4.15 PM to conduct the raid. However, defending the action, EC reportedly stated that it was following protocol while mentioning that the search could not be conducted as the rooms on the premises were locked.

Reacting to the development, the BJP alleged that complaints regarding 바카라�large-scale cash distribution from Kapurthala House바카라� had led to the operation. It further alleged that Punjab Police manhandled ECI officials, who were allowed to enter after three hours.

AAP Leaders Condemn EC's Move

Strongly condemning the poll body's move, Punjab AAP leaders on Thursday said that the action "reeks of dirty politics". They further accused the ECI of being biased in its action, claiming that it could not notice any "wrongdoings" by the BJP leaders.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on X, "@ECISVEEP with Delhi Police conducted raids on CM @BhagwantMann Ji's official residence (in Delhi) today. He is an elected CM & such actions reek of dirty politics. EC must take notice of @BJP4India candidates distributing cash to voters before doing such raids. Democracy deserves better".

Punjab AAP president and Cabinet minister Aman Arora said the BJP is "afraid of losing" the Delhi Assembly polls, and is trying to "spoil" the election atmosphere.

He alleged that the action was taken at the behest of the BJP.

Lashing out at the EC, Arora alleged, "The Commission is openly supporting the BJP and does not seem to notice any wrongdoings by BJP leaders, even though there are continuous reports of them distributing money".

BJP Reacts In Return

Meanwhile, Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin slammed Mann, saying the ECI team was not allowed to enter the Kapurthala House for two hours.

"Bhagwant Mann ji, what have you hidden in the Kapurthala House. It shows that the AAP is losing badly in the Delhi Assembly polls. AAP leaders and ministers are distributing money in Delhi, liquor is being distributed to influence voters," alleged Sarin.

Delhi goes to polls on February 5 and counting of votes will be held on February 8.