Listen to the article
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed recent allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding renovations at a government property, calling the claims “false propaganda” and challenging his political opponents to provide evidence.
The controversy erupted after BJP leaders alleged that the Punjab government was renovating a house for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, dubbing it “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” – a reference to lavish, taxpayer-funded accommodations. Mann responded Saturday by releasing a video clarifying the building’s actual purpose.
“House Number 50 is my camp office and guest house,” Mann explained in the video, noting that the property hosts important meetings and accommodates visiting dignitaries. “My guests, ministers, and officers from other states or those coming to meet me are lodged there. Official work is also carried out there, and I keep holding meetings there.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that the residence has not been allotted to any individual but serves strictly as an official facility. Mann resides at House Number 45 in Chandigarh’s Sector 2, which is the designated Chief Minister’s residence.
Turning the tables on his critics, Mann accused the BJP of hypocrisy, pointing to properties occupied by BJP leaders and allies. He specifically mentioned Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, whom he accused of illegally occupying a house originally allotted to his grandfather’s son, Tej Parkash Singh.
“Bittu is illegally occupying that house, which comes from the Punjab CM’s pool, and he is not vacating it. We have to make it a guest house,” Mann claimed, adding that despite multiple requests, the Governor of Punjab has taken no action to have the property vacated.
The Chief Minister also drew attention to what he described as genuine examples of extravagance among his political rivals. “If the BJP wanted to see real ‘Sheesh Mahals,’ I will give the address. They should go and see the Siswan farmhouse of Captain Amarinder Singh or the luxury hotel of Sukhbir Singh Badal,” he said, referencing the former Chief Minister who later joined the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief, respectively.
Mann claimed these leaders “didn’t even stay in the official residences and would call them servants’ quarters. Only their staff stayed here.”
The Chief Minister suggested the allegations stem from political motivations rather than genuine concerns about public expenditure. “The truth is that BJP has no agenda for Punjab and is resorting to making such baseless allegations. The BJP leadership is baffled by the growing base of the Aam Aadmi Party across the country, especially in Gujarat,” he said.
Mann also highlighted the practical need for official guest accommodations, particularly with the upcoming 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, an event for which chief ministers from across India and other dignitaries have been invited.
The dispute reflects the increasingly contentious political landscape in Punjab, where the AAP government faces consistent challenges from opposition parties. Since coming to power in 2022, Mann’s administration has frequently clashed with the BJP on various issues, from agricultural policies to resource allocation.
This latest exchange underscores the charged political atmosphere in the state, with both sides leveraging accusations of wasteful spending and impropriety against their opponents while defending their own use of public resources as necessary and appropriate.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Mann’s direct approach in addressing the allegations demonstrates the high stakes of public perception in Punjab’s political arena, where issues of governance and resource allocation remain central to political discourse.
Verify This Yourself
Use these professional tools to fact-check and investigate claims independently
Reverse Image Search
Check if this image has been used elsewhere or in different contexts
Ask Our AI About This Claim
Get instant answers with web-powered AI analysis
Related Fact-Checks
See what other fact-checkers have said about similar claims
Want More Verification Tools?
Access our full suite of professional disinformation monitoring and investigation tools
8 Comments
As a taxpayer, I’m always interested in how public funds are being used. The Chief Minister’s explanation about this property serving as an official guest house and meeting space seems plausible, but I’d like to see more independent verification.
Interesting political dispute over renovations. It’s important to get the facts straight and avoid partisan rhetoric. I’m curious to learn more about the intended use of this government property.
The Chief Minister’s response seems reasonable, highlighting that the building serves an official purpose rather than as personal accommodation. Transparency around public assets is key.
This debate highlights the importance of verifying claims and avoiding partisan spin, especially when it comes to the use of public resources. I’ll be curious to see if any independent oversight or audits are conducted on this property.
While the BJP’s claims about ‘Sheesh Mahal 2.0’ sound sensational, the Chief Minister’s response appears measured and factual. I appreciate him taking the time to clarify the purpose of the property in question.
Regardless of the political affiliations, transparency around the use of public assets is crucial. I hope both sides can move the discussion in a constructive direction.
This seems like a classic case of political posturing and finger-pointing. I hope both sides can move past the rhetoric and focus on the actual facts and intended use of the property.
The CM’s video clarification helps provide some context, but it would be good to hear more details on the building’s history and intended function.