Serious questions are being raised over the alleged use of Punjab government resources for the comfort and convenience of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, with critics pointing to Bungalow No. 50 in Chandigarh’s Sector 2—now widely dubbed “Sheesh Mahal 2.0”—as a troubling example of misplaced priorities. What has further intensified the controversy is the allegation that the property is linked to an exclusive helipad facility, reportedly meant solely for Kejriwal’s use during his visits to Punjab.
According to critics and opposition leaders, the sprawling two-acre government bungalow has been allotted and upgraded in a manner that goes far beyond functional administrative needs. They allege that Punjab’s taxpayer money is being used to create a high-security, high-luxury enclave, complete with special infrastructure, while the state continues to struggle with deep social and economic challenges. The alleged helipad, they argue, symbolises the entrenchment of VIP culture that AAP once promised to dismantle.
The helipad allegation has drawn particular attention because it suggests exclusive, individual-centric use of state infrastructure, rather than facilities meant for emergency services or broader governance needs. Critics question why Punjab—facing a severe drug crisis, rising unemployment, farmer distress, mounting debt, and pressure on health and education systems—would prioritise aviation facilities for a leader who holds no constitutional office in the state.
Opposition parties have accused the AAP-led Punjab government of turning Chandigarh into a comfort zone for the party’s national leadership, effectively treating Punjab’s resources as expendable. They argue that if public money has indeed been spent on developing or maintaining a helipad linked to the bungalow, it represents not only financial misuse but also a moral and political contradiction to AAP’s claims of simplicity and honest governance.
Civil society voices have also joined the debate, demanding full transparency. They are calling for the Punjab government to publicly disclose:
The legal basis for allotting Bungalow No. 50
Total expenditure incurred on renovations and upkeep
Details regarding any helipad or aviation-related infrastructure
Whether such facilities are for institutional use or exclusive to one individual
Supporters of the AAP have attempted to counter the criticism by stating that the bungalow is government property and that all arrangements follow official protocols. However, critics maintain that no clear, detailed public explanation has been offered regarding the scale of spending or the necessity of an alleged dedicated helipad.
For many in Punjab, the so-called “Kejriwal mansion with a helipad” has now become more than a political allegation—it has emerged as a symbol of perceived double standards. The controversy raises a fundamental question: are Punjab’s limited public funds being used to address the state’s urgent crises, or are they being diverted to sustain a new form of elite political privilege under the guise of governance?
Until comprehensive disclosures are made, the bungalow and the alleged helipad will continue to fuel public anger and political debate, reinforcing demands that Punjab’s resources be used for the welfare of its people—not for the luxury of a few.