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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday strongly refuted the BJP’s allegation that the state government had built a “Sheesh Mahal” for AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Chandigarh, asserting that no new or luxurious accommodation had been created for the Delhi Chief Minister.

In a video statement released on social media, Mann said the house being termed as a “Sheesh Mahal” by BJP leaders was, in fact, an official guest house under the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence complex. “It is the same house that a Pakistani journalist, who was a friend of Capt Amarinder Singh, stayed in when he was the Chief Minister. The BJP never objected to it then,” Mann remarked.

Rejecting claims that any special renovation or facility had been added to the property, Mann said the building was similar in structure and amenities to residences allotted to ministers and senior officials of both Punjab and Haryana. “If they want, I can share the addresses of the real ‘Sheesh Mahals’ — one belonging to Captain Amarinder Singh, who is now with the BJP, and another being Sukhvilas, the luxury resort of Sukhbir Badal,” the Chief Minister said.

Mann alleged that the BJP was resorting to “baseless propaganda” against AAP because of its growing political influence in Punjab. “They are disturbed by the massive public response to our rallies across the state. Since they have no constructive agenda for Punjab, they are trying to divert attention with false allegations,” he added.

The BJP had earlier accused the AAP government of providing a “seven-star accommodation” in Chandigarh for Arvind Kejriwal, dubbing it “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” and alleging misuse of public resources. Mann’s rebuttal marks the latest round in the escalating war of words between AAP and BJP, with both parties gearing up for the 2027 Assembly elections in Punjab.