Kharar/Chandigarh: In a dramatic turn of events, Punjab’s political scene witnessed fresh turmoil after Ranjit Singh Gill, a prominent Kharar-based realtor and former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) late Friday night. Merely hours later, on Saturday morning, his residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh, and his Gillco Valley office in Kharar were raided by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB).
Heavy Police Deployment, Raids Spark Political Controversy
Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence during the raid outside Gill’s corporate premises in Gillco Valley. Simultaneously, a team from the Vigilance Bureau was stationed at his Chandigarh home. Ranjit Singh Gill remained unavailable for comments, but his close aides confirmed the raids and denounced them as “a political vendetta.”BJP leaders condemned the move, calling it a deliberate attempt to intimidate a new party entrant. A senior BJP functionary revealed, “He joined the BJP late Friday night, and by Saturday morning, the Vigilance Bureau was at his doorstep. This is not a coincidence—it’s political coercion.”
BJP Claims Gill Was Pressured to Join AAP
BJP sources alleged that Ranjit Singh Gill was under intense pressure to join the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before he switched camps. “That’s precisely why his induction into BJP was rushed and kept low-key,” said a leader present during his induction ceremony held at Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini’s official residence in Chandigarh.Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar did not mince words while criticizing the AAP government, stating, “This raid is a reflection of AAP’s intolerance. The party cannot digest the idea of a builder choosing his own political path. Such intimidation tactics go against the democratic spirit.”
From SAD Loyalist to BJP Ticket Hopeful
Ranjit Gill is no stranger to Punjab’s political circles. A close associate of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gill contested the Punjab Assembly elections in 2017 and 2022 from Kharar but lost both times to AAP’s Anmol Gagan Maan. Disenchanted with recent developments within SAD, particularly appointments of office-bearers in his constituency, Gill officially parted ways with the party on July 12.
With his induction into the BJP, Gill has emerged as a strong contender for the party’s ticket from the Kharar Assembly constituency in the next elections.
VB Links Gillco Developers to Majithia’s Financial Web
In a statement released Saturday evening, a Punjab Vigilance Bureau spokesperson disclosed that searches were conducted across three locations related to Gillco Developers. According to the bureau, suspicious financial transactions worth crores were found between Gillco and firms allegedly linked to senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia.The official added, “These financial links emerged during ongoing investigations against Majithia. The raids were carried out to gather further evidence in a legal and procedural manner.” During the operation, several electronic devices and key documents were seized.
Political Vendetta or Legitimate Inquiry?
The timing of the raids has raised eyebrows across political circles. While BJP leaders cry foul and label it as political vendetta, AAP functionaries have distanced themselves from the controversy, choosing instead to highlight the legality of the investigations.
Critics argue that such actions, especially following high-profile political switches, cast doubts on the neutrality of investigative bodies. The incident is expected to fuel an already charged political environment in Punjab as parties gear up for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Politics and Power Collide
The incident involving Ranjit Singh Gill has once again spotlighted the intense political rivalry in Punjab, where shifting allegiances often come with immediate consequences. Whether this is an example of the state using investigative agencies for political gains or a genuine probe into financial misconduct remains a question that only time—and the courts—can answer.
For now, all eyes remain on how this story unfolds and whether it affects BJP’s traction in the Kharar constituency.