Aam Aadmi Party allegations of political targeting

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conducting a series of politically motivated campaigns to defame the party.

In late September, AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged a conspiracy involving the registration of 58 businesses at the party’s national headquarters in New Delhi. Bhardwaj claimed these registrations were an attempt to create a narrative that the party uses shell companies for illegal donations. The party filed formal complaints with the Delhi Police and tax authorities to investigate the registrations.

By early October, the tension escalated as party leaders reported increased targeting by central agencies. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal characterized a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office as a tactic to influence the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. Additionally, MLA Kuldeep Kumar reported a heavy presence of paramilitary forces and Delhi Police at his residence and office, which he described as an attempt to prevent his participation in a scheduled protest against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.