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Chandigarh: A day after the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on two real estate developers in New Chandigarh and named one of them as his “close associate”, Aman Arora, on Friday mounted a strong defence, declaring that he would permanently quit politics if any wrongdoing against him were established.

Addressing the media, the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader described the ED action as politically motivated and accused the central agency of attempting to target him indirectly through realtor Gaurav Dhir.

“I will quit politics for good if any wrongdoing is proved against me,” Arora asserted, while rejecting allegations linking him to any illegal financial transactions or undue favours involving builders.

‘Story suddenly shifted towards me’

Referring to the dramatic scenes during Thursday’s raids, in which bags allegedly containing cash were seen being flung from a high-rise building in Mohali, Arora questioned how the investigation suddenly turned on him.

“Baat chali kahin aur se, le gaye kahin aur… it started with the bags of cash being flung from the balcony of a house. How they suddenly wove the story around me, to get at me, is shocking,” he said.

Arora further alleged selective targeting by pointing out that one of the persons under investigation, Suresh Kumar Bajaj, had allegedly donated Rs 2.50 lakh to the BJP during 2023-24.

‘Politics of arm-twisting will not work’

The Punjab AAP chief said attempts to malign him politically would fail, asserting that his public life had remained transparent throughout his decades-long political journey.

“The politics of arm-twisting and defamation of Aman Arora will not work. I have spent 35 years in politics and four years as minister. I held charge of the Housing Department for only 8 months during 2022-23. If any builder comes forward and says I extracted any favour from him, I assure you I will quit politics,” he said.

Arora added that he entered politics to carry forward his late father’s legacy and serve the public through what he described as “clean politics.”

Admits friendship with realtor, denies financial links

While denying any involvement in wrongdoing, Arora acknowledged that realtor Gaurav Dhir had been his personal friend for nearly three decades. However, he insisted there had never been any financial dealings between them.

“Gaurav has been a personal friend for the past three decades. He has committed no wrongdoing but has been targeted only so that the ED can hit me. I have never had any financial dealings with him,” Arora said.

In a direct challenge to the ED, the AAP leader said he was prepared to cooperate with investigators fully.

“I challenge the ED. I will personally come to you. You can even conduct a forensic examination of my phone to see if I have any links with anyone involved in wrongdoing,” he added.

Questions over ED statements

Arora also questioned the manner in which the ED issued its official communications after the raids. According to him, the agency’s first statement did not mention his name, while a subsequent statement suddenly identified him as an associate of Gaurav Dhir.

“The first ED statement did not mention me at all. In the second statement, my name suddenly appeared. That itself raises serious questions,” he claimed.

CM already clarified, says Arora

When asked about alleged middlemen Nitin Gohal and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa — whose premises were also searched by the ED — and reports linking them to a senior functionary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Arora avoided confrontation and said the Punjab Chief Minister had already clarified the matter.

He said the CM had made it clear that neither the state government nor the party had any connection with the two individuals.

‘I can defend myself ’: Arora

Responding to questions about whether he had been politically isolated within the AAP, as no senior party leader had publicly defended him so far, Arora brushed aside the suggestion with a smile.

“I am capable of defending myself,” he remarked briefly.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in Punjab, with the Opposition accusing the ruling AAP government of proximity to controversial real estate dealings. At the same time, the AAP leadership continues to allege misuse of central agencies for political purposes. So far, the ED has not announced any arrests in the matter, and investigations into the alleged land scam and money laundering case are ongoing.