The political storm surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s so-called “Sheesh Mahal” has returned, this time centered in Chandigarh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reignited the controversy by sharing blurred aerial images of a large bungalow, claiming it was Kejriwal’s new residence in the city. According to the BJP, the Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had allotted the sprawling property — spread across nearly two acres in Sector 2 — to its leader.
Calling it “Sheesh Mahal 2.0,” the BJP accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, saying the man who once portrayed himself as a “common man” was now living in luxury. The Delhi BJP unit wrote on X, “After the Delhi ‘Sheesh Mahal’ was vacated, Punjab’s ‘Super Chief Minister’ Arvind Kejriwalji has had another grand mansion built.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla went further, alleging that AAP leaders defeated in the Delhi election were being compensated with posts in Punjab. He questioned why the Punjab government had failed to deliver on its welfare promises while allegedly providing a 100-car convoy and a 7-star mansion for Kejriwal.
Adding to the drama, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal — whose relations with Kejriwal have been tense since she accused his aide Bibhav Kumar of assault — shared the same photo minutes before the BJP’s post. Maliwal criticized the Punjab government for “serving one man,” and claimed Kejriwal recently used a government helicopter from his house to Ambala before boarding a Punjab government jet for political work in Gujarat.
AAP quickly dismissed the allegations as “fake and politically motivated.” In a sharp response, the party said, “Ever since the Prime Minister’s fake Yamuna story was exposed, the BJP has lost its cool. Now they are faking everything — fake Yamuna, fake pollution figures, fake rainfall, and now fake 7-star claims.”
AAP’s national media officer, Anurag Dhanda, reminded the BJP that Chandigarh’s administration is under its control. “If this bungalow exists, who approved the map? Who gave the electricity and water connections? The administration is yours — when are you going to demolish it?” he said, turning the tables on the rival party.
Earlier this month, the Delhi government confirmed that the much-discussed “Sheesh Mahal” in Delhi’s Flag Staff Road would be converted into a guest house with an in-house cafeteria. The same property had triggered a major controversy during the Delhi Assembly elections, when the BJP accused Kejriwal of spending ₹45 crore of public money on luxury renovations. The issue became a major election flashpoint, and AAP suffered a heavy defeat, winning just 22 of 70 seats and losing control of the Delhi government for the first time in over a decade.
A Central Public Works Department (CPWD) report released in October 2024 noted that “luxurious renovations” and “high-end appliances” had been installed in the Delhi property, prompting the central government to order a probe into possible violations of building norms.
The resurfacing of the “Sheesh Mahal” issue in Chandigarh comes at a politically sensitive time for AAP, which is facing mounting challenges in both Delhi and Punjab. While the BJP continues to frame Kejriwal as a symbol of extravagance, AAP maintains that the opposition is spreading false narratives to divert attention from real issues like pollution and governance.
As both parties trade accusations, the truth behind the Chandigarh bungalow remains unclear — but the controversy has once again captured the political spotlight, ensuring the “Sheesh Mahal” remains a potent symbol in India’s ongoing political battles.