Congress Accuses AAP of Media Intimidation in Punjab

The Congress has accused Punjab's AAP government of targeting the Punjab Kesari newspaper group with enforcement raids, allegedly inspired by Prime Minister Modi's tactics against the media nationally. The newspaper claims raids followed its critical reporting on the AAP, a charge the Punjab government denies.

The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of targeting the Punjab Kesari newspaper group with a series of enforcement raids. The Congress alleges that these actions are inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide campaign against critical media outlets.

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress's media and publicity department, criticized the AAP for lacking its own ideology and suggested it align with the BJP if it continues to emulate Modi's approach. Khera's allegations follow Punjab Kesari's claims of intimidation after publishing a report critical of the AAP's national convenor.

The Punjab government has denied these allegations, dismissing claims of unfair raids. However, the controversy has sparked a broader debate on press freedom in the state, with opposition parties joining the chorus against what they perceive as a clampdown on media freedom under the AAP-led government.

(With inputs from agencies.)