Congress: United in Condemnation, Divided in Action
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, taking to X, said that he “strongly condemn the arrest of Bikram Majithia — both in the manner it violates democratic principles and the dictatorial mindset behind it. This is a deliberate attempt to undermine the essence of democracy”. Congress MLA and vocal critic of both AAP and SAD Sukhpal Singh Khaira too came out in Majithia’s support. In a video message, Khaira said: “This is a clear case of political vendetta. Punjab is being turned into a police state. Today it’s Majithia, tomorrow it could be any one of us who dares to question the government.” Khaira also pointed to the lack of transparency in the raid and highlighted how Majithia’s family was allegedly not informed prior to the operation.
BJP: Law Must Be Equal, Not Selective
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar struck a balanced but critical tone. “Law must take its course, firmly and without favour. But when institutions are used to selectively target political opponents while others walk free, it raises serious doubts about the government’s intentions.” He questioned the frequent reshuffles in the Vigilance Bureau and non-action in cases where the Chief Minister had made promises on the Vidhan Sabha floor. “Selective action or inaction — as in Majithia’s case or against certain Congressmen — undermines the principle of equal justice under law,” Jakhar warned. Union Minister and Punjab BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu was more scathing. “Bhagwant Mann is sowing thorns for the people of Punjab. This is dictatorship in the name of vigilance. You are intimidating anyone who dares to speak the truth or expose your failures. Like the Congress during Emergency, AAP is misusing power today,” he said.
Kunwar Vijay Pratap’s Shock Dissent: “Morally Unjustified”
In a development that caught many by surprise, AAP’s own MLA and former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh broke ranks with his party, criticizing the raid on moral grounds. “This is no longer about politics, this is about principles and decency,” he said. He also expressed concern over the violation of women’s dignity, referring to the Majithia family’s allegation that their home was stormed without notice. While he did not question the legal process, he called the method of execution “morally questionable”, adding weight to growing unease about the use of state machinery in high-profile arrests.
AAP’s Defence: “No One is Above the Law”
The Aam Aadmi Party, while facing fire from all corners, remained steadfast in defending its decision. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said: “This is a part of our war against drugs. When SAD, BJP and Congress were in power, they allowed Punjab to drown in drugs. We are acting where they remained silent. No one, regardless of how powerful, will be spared.” Manish Sisodia, former Delhi Deputy CM and AAP leader, backed the Punjab Government, saying, “This is zero tolerance in action. We are a party of honest people. Anyone who spread drugs or looted Punjab must be punished.” Punjab AAP president Aman Arora asserted that the action was taken purely based on complaints and not driven by vengeance. “I can say with full confidence that the AAP government does not act out of political rivalry. Vigilance acted based on evidence and complaint procedures.” Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal went further, directly accusing rival parties of shielding drug networks. “When Punjab’s mothers were crying, SAD, BJP and Congress stood with drug lords. But today, for the first time, someone like Majithia has been held accountable.”