The Kothi No. 50 in Chandigarh’s Sector-2, which has been allotted to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was alleged by the BJP and AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to have been given to Arvind Kejriwal for residence.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann issued a video statement on November 1 (following allegations made by BJP and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on October 31 via social media, where she shared satellite and interior images of a Sector-2 kothi, claiming it was being handed over to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal).
In the video, the Chief Minister clarified that Kothi No. 50 in Sector-2 has been allotted to him as a camp office and guest house (his residence being Kothi No. 45). He stated that he uses this kothi for meetings with officials and delegations, and it is also used as a guest house.
Targeting the BJP, the CM claimed that the kothi has not been given to Arvind Kejriwal, and that the BJP, unable to find any real issue against the AAP government, is resorting to lies.
Read More here: Bhagwant Mann Trolled On Social Media After Yesterday’s Niti Ayog Meeting & Photo With PM
The Chief Minister alleged that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh (now a BJP leader), this kothi was used as residence for Pakistani journalist and Captain’s friend Aroosa Alam. He further claimed it was also used as residence for an official close to the former CM. The CM told the BJP to “look into their own collar” and focus on real issues in Punjab, such as farmers’ problems.
Mann reminded the BJP that previous governments (BJP-Akali alliance and Congress) looted Punjab and built luxurious kothis for themselves. He said the AAP government only uses government property and does not waste public tax money unnecessarily. Mann accused the BJP of trying to defame the Punjab government with baseless claims, but said the people of Punjab now understand their “dirty politics” and will not believe their lies.
Detailed Information on Sector-2 Kothi No. 50 Controversy:
The Kothi No. 50 in Chandigarh Sector-2 (which, according to CM Bhagwant Mann, is allotted to the Punjab Chief Minister as an office and guest house) was accused on October 31 by Punjab BJP and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal via social media of being allotted to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for residence and allegedly undergoing construction/renovation. The BJP and Swati referred to it as “Sheesh Mahal-02”.
The BJP posted satellite images on X (Twitter), claiming that the Punjab government (AAP) has allotted a 2-acre, 7-star luxurious kothi in Chandigarh Sector-2 to Arvind Kejriwal from the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s quota. They called it “Sheesh Mahal 2.0”, claiming it is even better than the one in Delhi. The BJP said this kothi was built with Punjab taxpayers’ money and that Kejriwal is using Punjab’s resources like a “super CM” for political gain.
Statement by Punjab BJP Working President Ashwani Sharma: He demanded answers from CM Bhagwant Mann and claimed the kothi has been renovated as a new “Sheesh Mahal” for Kejriwal. He said the controversy is not limited to Punjab but has reached Delhi.
Read More here: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Targets Journalist Ratan Dhaliwal with Harsh Remarks
Swati Maliwal, who turned against Kejriwal due to internal party conflict (on May 13, 2024, as Rajya Sabha MP, she filed a written complaint with Delhi Police alleging that Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar assaulted her at the Delhi CM’s official residence), shared the BJP’s post and wrote that after the Delhi Sheesh Mahal was vacated, Kejriwal has now built another grand Sheesh Mahal in Punjab.
She claimed the 2-acre kothi in Sector-2 has been allotted to Kejriwal and is being used for AAP’s political work. Maliwal said the entire Punjab government is engaged in serving one individual.
She questioned: If this is the CM’s camp office, how does Kejriwal live here? She also alleged that Kejriwal uses the Punjab government helicopter to go to Ambala from outside the house, then boards a private jet for party work.
After the Chief Minister issued the video message, the Aam Aadmi Party has completely distanced itself from the controversy. Meanwhile, the BJP and Swati continue to fuel the issue.
After the CM’s video message, Swati shared a post challenging Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann openly:
“If what I have written is false, file an FIR and arrest me. I am not afraid of you.”
Earlier today, Swati also claimed that apart from Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia (Bungalow No. 960, Sector 39), Satendra Jain (Bungalow No. 926, Sector 39), and several other individuals from Delhi have been allotted government residences in Chandigarh.