- CM should probe corruption allegations against Minister Sanjiv Arora
CHANDIGARH: Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar called the vigilance action against Ranjit Singh Gill, who recently joined the BJP, a blatant act of political vengeance. He demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann investigate corruption allegations against his minister, Sanjiv Arora, for alleged misconduct as a land developer. Speaking at a press conference today, Jakhar accused CM Mann of outsourcing Punjab’s governance to Delhi leaders, warning that when governments change, it’s the chief minister and ministers who face consequences for looting public funds, while contractors escape unscathed.
Jakhar claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, instead of tackling gangsters, is operating like a political gang itself. He labeled the action against Gill a violation of democratic norms, suggesting the government is intimidating opponents to deter them from joining rival parties or deviating from its agenda. He emphasized that everyone has the right to choose their political path in a democracy. Jakhar questioned whether the raid on Gill was driven by AAP’s financial interests or tied to a collusion with another builder in land pooling deals. He also reminded the CM of the 2016 SEBI ruling that found Minister Sanjiv Arora guilty of misleading shareholders, and the 2023 ED raid on Arora, which AAP had called vendetta. Yet, Jakhar noted, the government is now targeting Gill in a similar manner.
Jakhar further highlighted that the late Ludhiana MLA Gurpreet Gogi had raised concerns about Arora’s company converting industrial land into residential colonies. He argued that this was clear evidence of wrongdoing, as even AAP’s own legislators questioned Arora’s actions. Jakhar sarcastically suggested that AAP should register itself as “Aam Aadmi Builder & Developer Pvt. Ltd.” instead of a political party. He accused the government of seizing farmers’ fertile land and now trying to provide a justification for Arora’s misconduct through a June 26, 2025, cabinet decision on an industrial plot conversion policy. The land in Mundian Kalan Ludhiana was acquired for industrial purposes , which was instead was used for building a residential colony —a move he called entirely illegal, as land acquired for one purpose cannot be used for another. Jakhar asserted that farmers in Mundian Kalan have the right to reclaim their land.
He warned the CM to stop political vendettas, focus on improving Punjab’s deteriorating law and order, and prioritize public welfare over property deals.