Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 30 criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his lack of cooperation with the Election Commission (EC) during an attempted search at his official residence in Delhi.
Sarma defended the EC’s independence, asserting that it must be allowed to conduct investigations without political interference. He urged Mann to avoid making counter-allegations and instead lodge a formal complaint if he suspected the BJP of misconduct.
The controversy arose after the EC’s Flying Squad Team (FST) attempted to search Kapurthala House following a complaint on the EC’s cVIGIL app about alleged cash distribution.
However, security personnel reportedly barred the officials from entering, with Returning Officer OP Pandey stating that the search was obstructed due to locked rooms inside the residence.
Mann, in response, accused the EC and Delhi Police of working under BJP’s influence to target AAP leaders. He claimed that his entire residence, including his family members’ belongings, was searched while BJP leaders faced no similar scrutiny. AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, further alleged EC bias, citing instances of BJP candidates allegedly distributing cash and gifts without facing action.
The standoff has intensified political tensions, with opposition leaders such as Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav denouncing the searches as a ploy to suppress AAP’s rising influence. The Election Commission has yet to announce its next course of action regarding the stalled probe.
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