Chandigarh
Hours after realtor and former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Ranjit Singh Gill formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Punjab Vigilance Bureau carried out raids at his residence in Chandigarh on Saturday.
Gill, who previously contested the Assembly elections from Kharar but lost, joined the BJP late Friday night. His induction ceremony was held at the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, as no senior Punjab BJP leaders were reportedly available in the city at the time.
Defending Gill, BJP leader Subhash Sharma accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of engaging in vindictive politics. He alleged that the Vigilance Bureau was being misused as a political tool to intimidate new BJP entrants. The raid on Ranjit Singh Gill’s residence clearly reflects the government’s malicious intent, Sharma told a news channel.
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg, however, justified the Vigilance action, stating that the investigating agency may have evidence warranting the raid. He dismissed the BJP’s allegations, saying the government was not targeting opponents.
Gill, owner of the prominent Gillco Group, which has developed multiple residential, commercial, and educational projects in Mohali district, was warmly welcomed by CM Saini. He said, All good people inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the performance of BJP-ruled states are joining our development-oriented journey.