The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab of allotting a lavish government bungalow in Chandigarh to party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP labeled the property, bungalow number 50 in Sector 2, as 'Sheesh Mahal 2.0', comparing it to the Delhi residence previously allocated to Kejriwal during his tenure as Chief Minister. The opposition party claims the two-acre property is a seven-star luxury residence provided from the Chief Minister's quota. AAP has dismissed these allegations as baseless, stating that the property serves as the Punjab Chief Minister's camp office. The party questioned the absence of any official allotment letter and noted that Chandigarh's administration operates under BJP control, making any construction or approval impossible without their sanction. Rebel AAP leader Swati Maliwal contradicted her own party's defense, alleging Kejriwal resides in the property and uses government resources including helicopters for party activities. The controversy has expanded to include claims that several AAP leaders from Delhi occupy government accommodations in Chandigarh and Patiala, sparking debate about resource allocation while Punjab struggles to fulfill welfare promises.
History and Current Status of the Controversial Bungalow
Bungalow number 50 in Sector 2 was initially allotted to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha in 2022 after the party formed the government in Punjab. Sources indicate the property remained unused as Chadha's priorities shifted elsewhere. The bungalow was subsequently cleaned and prepared for Kejriwal, who previously stayed at Vikas Bhawan Guest House in Mohali during state visits. He has recently moved to the Chandigarh residence, where he reportedly holds official meetings. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who resides in nearby bungalow number 44, frequently visits number 50 for meetings. Mann also maintains his camp office in bungalow number 43. The property was previously occupied by former Advocate General Atul Nanda and later by Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa.
Multiple Delhi AAP Leaders Allotted Punjab Government Housing
Several AAP leaders from Delhi have been provided government accommodations in Punjab. Manish Sisodia, AAP's Punjab in-charge, occupies bungalow number 960 in Sector 39, while former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain stays in house number 926 in the same sector. Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh was reportedly asked to transfer his allotment to Sisodia. Other Delhi-based AAP members occupying government housing include Anurag Kundu, appointed to the Punjab Development Commission, Kamal Bansal, chairman of Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme, and Reena Gupta, chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. Additionally, Jasmine Shah and Anurag Dhanda stay at Punjab Bhawan, the government guesthouse in Chandigarh, while overseeing various departments.
Source: Link