Chandigarh: Former Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday alleged that Delhi-based Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders had occupied official residences meant for ministers and were exercising control over the state’s administration with the backing of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, whom he described as the “super CM”.
Visiting official residences of ministers and the Sector 39 Circuit House here, Jakhar alleged that AAP associates were occupying government properties without authorisation, displacing legitimate occupants.
He said he visited the premises to confirm who was actually living there, rather than relying on social media discussions and hearsay.
Questioning the alleged presence of files from the department of Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian at residence No. 926, Jakhar said a minister was bound by his constitutional oath to maintain confidentiality in official matters.
He claimed the files contained information relating to an alleged Rs 10,000-crore GMADA scam and questioned how they had reached the residence where AAP leader Satyendar Jain was allegedly staying.
Jakhar alleged that the incident reflected a system of administrative control from Delhi and said the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation would bring out the truth. He demanded Mundian’s resignation.
Targeting Kejriwal, Jakhar recalled that the AAP leader had projected himself as an advocate of simplicity and honesty and had earlier declared that he would not accept an official residence as Chief Minister. However, he alleged that under the AAP government in Punjab, party associates from Delhi had occupied official properties meant for state ministers.
Jakhar also claimed that Punjab Police was preventing him from entering the Sector 39 Circuit House despite his having booked a room there for September 29 two days earlier.
“I am a resident of Punjab and have a valid booking, yet I am being denied entry, while people without any legal authority are occupying government properties,” he said.
He further claimed that Circuit House rooms had been placed under the permanent control of AAP associates, leaving visiting government officials, political leaders and journalists from Punjab without access to accommodation.
Alleging that ministers had become ministers only in name, Jakhar said their identities were being concealed, with even nameplates removed from their official residences.
He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discharge his responsibility towards Punjab and remove what he described as unidentified Delhi-based occupants from government properties.
Warning that the protest would intensify if the alleged illegal occupation continued, Jakhar said the buildings had been constructed with taxpayers’ money, and those occupying them must vacate.
On the unrest at Lovely Professional University and Chitkara University, reportedly triggered by rumours, Jakhar said the incidents were serious and required a thorough investigation.
Referring particularly to the developments at Lovely Professional University, he alleged that people posing as protesters had reached a girls’ hostel, raising concerns about students’ safety.
Jakhar reiterated his demand for a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the incidents at the two universities.