Chandigarh, March 12, 2025 – A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued an official statement regarding the attachment of his property in a money laundering case, Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira strongly condemned the move, calling it "purely character assassination" and "political vendetta."
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Khaira said he had not yet received any official notice from the ED regarding the attachment of his residence in the city. Accusing the agency of acting like a "political party, " he alleged that he was being targeted for being a vocal opposition leader.
"I have been an opposition leader, and that is why they are calling me a 'drug mafia.' This is nothing but an attempt to silence me. Even the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government registered a false case against me based on this ED case, " he said.
Khaira announced that he would challenge the ED’s action in court, asserting that all allegations against him were false. He claimed that both the BJP-led central government and the AAP-led Punjab government were conspiring against him ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
“I am not afraid and will continue to raise my voice against the injustices of the ruling governments. The three crore people of Punjab stand with me, and my Congress party has also extended full support, ” he said, adding that he was being targeted just like former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Khaira’s remarks come amid intensifying political tensions in Punjab, with the opposition accusing the ruling parties of misusing investigative agencies for political gains.