Chandigarh: A day before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Jalandhar, former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday reached Chandigarh’s Sector 39 Circuit House to highlight what he alleged was the “hijacking” of Punjab government accommodation by Delhi based Aam Aadmi Party leaders and associates. Jakhar’s on-ground protest over government accommodation comes as the BJP sharpens its political campaign in Punjab ahead of the 2027 polls.
Jakhar’s intervention came after he claimed that he himself was stopped from entering the Circuit House despite having a booking for September 29. He said he had booked a room two days ago and reached the premises to use the accommodation, but was prevented from entering by Punjab Police.
He said he came to the spot to show how the system was allegedly functioning and to establish the situation himself rather than relying on social media posts or hearsay.
The BJP leader subsequently staged a protest near the official residences of Punjab ministers and the Circuit House, alleging that government properties meant for authorised occupants were being used by AAP leaders and associates from Delhi.
Jakhar alleged that Punjab ministers had been reduced to “ministers in name only” and claimed that some had even removed their nameplates from their official residences.
“This is about how the system has been hijacked,” Jakhar said, questioning how a person with a legitimate booking at a government Circuit House could allegedly be denied entry while people linked to the ruling party were allegedly occupying government properties.
The controversy comes amid a widening political row over government accommodation in Chandigarh. The issue first gained attention after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira questioned the presence of AAP functionary Gayatri Bishnoi at a government residence in Sector 39.
Bishnoi, who is AAP’s Punjab observer and president of the party’s Rajasthan women’s wing, said she was staying with her parents at Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh’s official residence because her father was undergoing treatment. She rejected the allegations and threatened legal action against Khaira. She has since vacated the bungalow.
The dispute has since widened, with BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders questioning whether AAP functionaries and leaders from outside Punjab are occupying government houses allotted to Punjab ministers and other authorised officials. The allegations include claims concerning several residences in the Sector 39 complex, though the allotment and occupancy details require verification from official records.
Jakhar alleged that the arrangement had the backing of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, whom he referred to as the “super CM”, and questioned the alleged influence of Delhi based
AAP leadership over Punjab’s government machinery.
He also questioned why files from the department of Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian had allegedly reached residence No. 926. Jakhar claimed the files contained information relating to an alleged Rs 10,000 crore GMADA matter.
Referring to the oath of secrecy taken by ministers, Jakhar questioned how official files could allegedly reach a residence associated with AAP leader Satyendar Jain. He linked the issue with the Enforcement Directorate’s recent action and demanded Mundian’s resignation.
Jakhar also recalled Kejriwal’s earlier statements that he would not accept an official residence while serving as Delhi Chief Minister, questioning the alleged use of Punjab government accommodation by AAP associates.
He appealed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to remove what he described as unidentified people from Delhi from government properties and asked those occupying the residences to vacate buildings built with Punjab taxpayers’ money.
The timing of the controversy gives it added political significance. Punjab is heading towards the 2027 Assembly elections, and the BJP is stepping up its campaign in the state. Amit Shah is scheduled to address a major rally in Jalandhar on Wednesday, September 30, where the BJP’s ongoing Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra will culminate. The party has described the rally and the yatra as part of its campaign build up ahead of the Assembly polls.
The government accommodation controversy therefore comes at a time when the BJP is seeking to sharpen its political challenge to the AAP government, while Opposition parties are questioning the alleged role of Delhi based AAP leaders in Punjab’s affairs.
For Jakhar, however, Tuesday’s intervention was rooted in his own experience at the Circuit House. His central question was why a person with a confirmed booking could allegedly be stopped from entering a government property, and who has the authority to decide who gets access to Punjab’s government accommodation.
He warned that the protest would intensify if the alleged unauthorised occupants did not vacate the properties and said those responsible would be held accountable if there was a change in government.