‘No Special Renovation, Just an Official Residence’
Mann clarified that the house being labelled as a “Sheesh Mahal” Kothi No. 50, Sector 2, Chandigarh has long been designated as the Chief Minister’s camp office. He emphasized that no special renovation or construction has been done and that it is similar to other government accommodations allotted to Punjab and Haryana ministers.
“It is the same house where guests of previous chief ministers, including a Pakistani journalist invited by Capt Amarinder Singh, stayed. BJP never objected then,” Mann said in a video message.
‘Show Me One Letter Allotting a House to Kejriwal’
Rejecting BJP’s charge that the house was meant for AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, Mann said Chandigarh is a Union Territory under the Centre’s jurisdiction. “Show me one letter saying a house has been allotted to Kejriwal,” he challenged.
The Chief Minister further added that Kothi No. 45 serves as his official residence, while Kothi No. 50 functions as a camp office where he meets dignitaries and holds official meetings. “Will BJP now call my camp office a Sheesh Mahal?” he asked.
Offers to Show ‘Real Palaces’ of BJP Leaders
Turning the tables, Mann invited BJP leaders to visit the “real Sheesh Mahals” owned by senior politicians like Capt Amarinder Singh and Sukhbir Badal. “If they want to see luxury, I can provide the addresses of those real palaces,” he said sarcastically.
Mann accused BJP of resorting to misinformation due to its political frustration in Punjab. “The BJP has no agenda for Punjab and is rattled by the growing support for AAP,” he asserted.
Countering BJP’s Allegations
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla earlier alleged that AAP was misusing public funds to build a “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” in Punjab, claiming Kejriwal acts as the “super CM.” Mann dismissed the charge, saying such statements are part of a larger smear campaign.
“We are elected by the people and live in houses allotted to the Chief Minister. These are not personal properties but offices where we meet citizens,” he said, calling the BJP’s accusations “an insult to Punjab’s democratic institutions.”
Blame Game Over Official Residences
Mann also accused Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu of illegally occupying a government bungalow near Sukhna Lake meant for the Punjab CM’s pool. He claimed multiple letters were sent for its vacation but no action was taken. “If BJP talks of ‘Sheesh Mahals’, they should start with their own,” he added.
The CM concluded by saying that BJP’s propaganda aims to divert attention from AAP’s expansion in Gujarat and other states. “They cannot digest AAP’s rise, so they resort to lies,” he said.
