Targeted With Baseless Allegations to

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Jan31 : Former Punjab minister Sunder Sham Arora has alleged that his political opponents, especially those repeatedly rejected by voters, are continuously raising baseless issues to damage his reputation.In a statement issued from Hoshiarpur, Arora said that the Income Tax Department raid at his residence, which began on the morning of Wednesday, January 28, concluded late last night. “During the raid, my family fully cooperated with the raiding team. No major irregularities have come to light. In future as well, if required, we will cooperate with the Department. We are law-abiding citizens. I have cooperated with investigative agencies in the past too,” he said.Clarifying allegations about his and his family’s business interests, Arora stated, “Our family, including my son, is not a partner with any builder in Chandigarh. My son has a partnership in a colony in S.A.S. Nagar. All necessary documents related to this partnership have been handed over to the investigating agency.”Sharing his personal journey, Arora said he wanted to remind the people of Punjab, especially those of the Hoshiarpur Assembly constituency, that his life had begun with great struggle. “From working at a small roadside eatery and running a wool shop, my journey has never been easy. Born into a poor family, I often had to choose between books and food. But I never ignored my dreams. I have seen the hardships of ordinary people, and that is why I entered politics—to serve people from a bigger platform,” he said. He added that he was elected twice to the Punjab Assembly and tried to serve with full zeal and humility during his ten-year tenure.“Yet, leaders—particularly those whom the people have consistently rejected at the polls—keep trying to malign my image by raking up unfounded issues. The pain of being targeted without reason is truly immense,” he remarked. Arora said his close friends know well that the Punjab Lokpal has already dismissed the petition filed against him regarding alleged irregularities in plot allotments. “Moreover, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already quashed the FIR registered against officials, employees and myself,” he added.Referring to allegations that he offered money to an officer of an investigating agency, Arora declined to comment, stating, “I do not wish to say anything on the allegation of offering money to an officer, as the matter is sub judice. The Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court is seized of the case and has stayed further action.”Arora asserted that he was being targeted due to political vendetta. “For me, politics is a platform to serve society, not a tool to wield an axe against anyone,” he said. Admitting to what he termed a political mistake, he added, “I believe that by joining the BJP along with some other leaders, I made a mistake. But I corrected it by rejoining the Congress. I apologised to the people of Hoshiarpur and Punjab, and they forgave me, even though the Congress was then in power neither at the Centre nor in the state.”Expressing faith in the electorate, Arora concluded, “I trust the wisdom of the people and the future political history of Hoshiarpur. I hope they will see the truth and do justice.”