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Ludhiana: AAP misusing police, will hold protest today, says BJP
Clashes broke out in Ludhiana during protests by AAP against the arrest of cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora, with BJP workers staging a counter-protest outside the party office. Both sides blamed the other for provocation, and the BJP announced a march outside the police commissioner’s office for the next day. The AAP accused central agencies of destabilising Punjab's government amid ongoing political tensions.
Why It Matters
The incidents underscore rising political tension in Punjab and raise questions about police neutrality and the role of central agencies in state politics.
Timeline
5 Events
Police comments request unanswered
May 11, 2026
Calls to police commissioner Swapan Sharma for comments went unanswered.
AAP accuses central agencies of destabilising Punjab government
May 11, 2026
AAP district president Jatinder Singh Khangura alleged that the BJP repeatedly uses central agencies to destabilise the Punjab government, claiming that Arora’s residence and offices were raided three times within a year and that Arora was pressured to join the BJP; he said Ludhiana’s demonstration was part of a statewide agitation.
BJP spokesperson defends action, cites ED arrest as substantiated
May 11, 2026
BJP leader Dhiman said the Enforcement Directorate arrested cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora only after finding substance in the allegations against him, and accused the AAP government of diverting attention from governance and law-and-order issues by targeting the BJP.
BJP plans protest outside Ludhiana police commissioner’s office
May 11, 2026
Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sareen announced that the BJP would stage a protest outside the Ludhiana police commissioner’s office on Monday, May 12, and would symbolically lock the main gate of the office.
Clashes erupt as AAP and BJP workers clash during Ludhiana protest
May 10, 2026
Hours after clashes erupted during protests in Ludhiana, AAP workers protested against the arrest of cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora while BJP workers staged a counter-protest outside the party office; both sides accused the other of provoking the confrontation.