“The cat goes on a pilgrimage after devouring a hundred mice” — BJP’s formation of a corruption inquiry committee is an admission of its own 12 years of alleged scams: Yogesh Dhingra
Chandigarh, August 25, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chandigarh Chief Spokesperson and Councillor Yogesh Dhingra, while addressing an extensive press conference at the party office in Sector 39, Chandigarh, today raised serious questions over alleged corruption, financial irregularities, tender-related discrepancies, recruitment-related corruption and alleged misuse of public money in the BJP-ruled Chandigarh Municipal Corporation over the past 10–12 years.
He said that the BJP has continuously misled the people of Chandigarh in the name of development and transparency, while one major financial or administrative controversy after another has emerged in the city. He claimed that nearly 22 major scams and irregularities have come to light in Chandigarh over approximately the last decade, but instead of taking effective action against those responsible, attempts have allegedly been made to provide them political protection.
BJP’s Anti-Corruption Committee: “A case of the cat going on a pilgrimage after devouring a hundred mice”
Yogesh Dhingra strongly criticised the BJP for recently forming its own “monitoring/corruption inquiry committee” within the Municipal Corporation, saying that the move was reminiscent of the saying, “The cat goes on a pilgrimage after devouring a hundred mice.”
He questioned that if the BJP has now realised that corruption exists in the Municipal Corporation, what has it been doing while being in power for the last 10–12 years? He asked why no impartial investigation was conducted earlier into the cases and irregularities repeatedly raised by the opposition and the public.
He said that the BJP forming a committee to monitor the functioning of its own Municipal Corporation indicates that the allegations of corruption have become so serious that the party itself can no longer avoid answering them.
₹25-crore dispute raises questions over alleged “commission system”
During the press conference, Yogesh Dhingra also referred to a recent dispute reportedly linked to Sector 40. He alleged that a dispute involving approximately ₹25 lakh took place between a contractor and the husband of a BJP councillor over getting an agenda item passed, eventually leading to a physical altercation and even slapping.
Dhingra further alleged that a system of distributing ₹5 lakh “commission” amounts among councillors for getting agenda items passed was allegedly operating within the Municipal Corporation and that allegations of the involvement of at least five councillors had surfaced.
He said that if these allegations are false, the BJP should come forward and ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the matter and place the facts before the public.
He said AAP had earlier also raised questions over the ₹227-crore table agenda of the Municipal Corporation and had registered a strong protest by marching towards the Raj Bhavan. He maintained that financial decisions involving such large amounts of public money must be brought before the House transparently rather than being pushed through hurriedly as table agendas.
₹500 crore 24×7 Manimajra Water Project: Questions remain despite expenditure
Yogesh Dhingra also raised serious questions regarding the 24×7 Manimajra Water Project. He said that approximately ₹500 crore was spent on a project intended to provide residents with clean and adequate water around the clock. However, he alleged that people in Manimajra continue to face problems related to water supply, dirty water and dependence on water tankers.
He said that if such a substantial amount has been spent but the expected benefits have not reached residents, the entire project—including its cost, tendering process, payments, quality of work and actual outcomes—should be independently investigated.
₹116 crore linked to Smart City Project under scrutiny
The AAP leader also raised allegations concerning the Smart City Project. He claimed that questions have been raised regarding approximately ₹116 crore of Smart City funds allegedly being routed through real estate and private banks, and that a complete audit and account of the money has not been placed before the public.
He questioned where the money was utilised, in whose accounts it remained, to whom payments were made and what tangible benefit the city residents received from the expenditure. He demanded a comprehensive financial audit of the matter.
CREST solar and energy projects: alleged irregularities of ₹75–83 crore
Dhingra also raised the issue of alleged financial irregularities amounting to approximately ₹75–83 crore in solar and energy projects associated with CREST.
He said that projects related to solar energy and the environment should serve the public interest. However, if financial irregularities have taken place, every payment, tender and agreement should be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action should be taken against anyone found responsible.
₹7 crore parking licence fee matter
He also referred to the alleged ₹7-crore parking licence fee matter. He alleged that after a contract was awarded to a person associated with the BJP, recovery of approximately ₹7 crore belonging to the Municipal Corporation could not be made and the concerned person was reportedly absconding.
He questioned what steps the Municipal Corporation had taken to recover the money and why the alleged loss to public funds had not yet been recovered.
Allegations of horse-trading of councillors in mayoral elections
Yogesh Dhingra also levelled serious allegations regarding mayoral elections. He claimed that black money allegedly generated through corruption in the Municipal Corporation is used to influence councillors and facilitate alleged horse-trading during elections.
He said that if these allegations have any basis, the matter should be investigated by an independent agency. Conversely, if the allegations are baseless, the BJP should come forward and answer them publicly.
Community Centre gym equipment and alleged inflated/fake bills
He alleged that despite expenditure of lakhs and crores of rupees on gyms established at Community Centres, poor-quality equipment was installed at several locations and public money was allegedly misused through fake or inflated bills.
He demanded that the sanctioned amount, purchase prices, quality of equipment, suppliers and payments made for every such gym be thoroughly examined.
₹14 crore alleged loss in Selvel advertising matter
Dhingra also referred to the Selvel advertising matter, alleging that the Municipal Corporation suffered an estimated ₹14-crore loss due to alleged undue benefit being extended to the advertising company.
He demanded an independent audit of the tendering process, contractual terms and the alleged financial loss suffered by the Corporation.
₹48 crore Sector 17 Smart Parking Project under question
He raised questions regarding the Sector 17 Smart Parking Project, stating that approximately ₹48 crore was spent on the project. He said that problems such as water leakage and waterlogging during rainfall soon after its inauguration raised serious questions regarding the quality of construction.
He demanded that the technical quality of the project and accountability for its construction be established.
Lion Services sanitation tender
Yogesh Dhingra raised serious allegations regarding the sanitation tender associated with Lion Services. He alleged that in the contract covering sanitation services from Sector 31 to Sector 63, irregularities running into crores may have occurred by allegedly showing fewer workers or exploiting sanitation employees.
He demanded that the number of employees actually deployed be matched with the manpower reflected in the bills submitted and payments made by the Municipal Corporation.
Alleged expenditure of ₹71 crore without required approval
The AAP leader alleged that approximately ₹71 crore was spent from the Municipal Corporation budget without the required administrative and documentary approvals.
He said that if the allegation is established, it would constitute a serious financial irregularity and responsibility must be fixed on the officials and elected representatives concerned.
Alleged bribery in recruitment of 1,081 employees
Dhingra raised the issue of the recruitment of 1,081 Municipal Corporation employees, alleging that unemployed and economically weaker applicants were allegedly asked for ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh in bribes in the name of recruitment to positions such as sweepers and drivers.
He said government employment cannot become a means of financial exploitation and demanded an impartial investigation into all such complaints, followed by strict action against anyone found guilty.
Horticulture Waste Plant tender under scrutiny
Yogesh Dhingra also alleged irregularities in the tendering process for the Horticulture Waste Plant.
He said allegations that the tender was awarded to BJP-supported or favoured persons without following a proper and transparent tender process should be investigated. He demanded that all tender documents, technical evaluations, financial bids and final allocation records be made available for scrutiny.
MOH Branch: bribery allegations and CBI investigation
He also referred to allegations of bribery in the Municipal Corporation’s MOH Branch, where, he alleged, amounts of approximately ₹2 lakh were demanded in connection with jobs and approvals.
He said that such allegations have also come within the purview of investigating agencies and demanded a fair investigation into the entire matter. If any official or employee is found guilty, strict legal action should follow.
Sector 17 Plaza sanitation: alleged ₹30 lakh monthly bills
Dhingra alleged that bills of approximately ₹30 lakh every month were allegedly being cleared for sanitation work at Sector 17 Plaza without a valid tender.
He questioned the basis on which these payments were made, which agency received them and which officer or elected representative authorised them. He demanded a complete examination of the relevant records.
Alleged illegal collection from street vendors by Enforcement Wing
The AAP Chief Spokesperson also levelled serious allegations against the Municipal Corporation’s Enforcement Wing.
He alleged that an organised network of illegal monthly collections worth lakhs of rupees was operating from street vendors and small traders. He said that instead of harassing poor vendors and small traders, the Corporation should establish a transparent system and ensure an independent investigation into the allegations of illegal collections.
₹50 crore expenditure on drainage and monsoon preparedness questioned
Yogesh Dhingra also raised questions over the city’s recurring waterlogging problem. He said that approximately ₹50 crore has reportedly been spent on drain cleaning, drainage infrastructure and rainwater management, yet several parts of Chandigarh become waterlogged after merely two hours of rainfall.
He said this causes substantial losses to residents, shopkeepers and vehicle owners. He questioned why such a situation continues to occur if crores of rupees have been spent on drainage and cleaning.
AAP will demand an account of every rupee from BJP
Yogesh Dhingra said that the Municipal Corporation has an annual budget of approximately ₹1,000 crore, yet residents continue to struggle with roads, clean water, sanitation, drainage and transparent administration.
He questioned the BJP over the utilisation of taxpayers’ money and demanded accountability for the deteriorating basic civic infrastructure of the city.
He further said that while the BJP speaks about action by central investigating agencies against opposition parties in Delhi, it must explain why, despite such serious allegations of corruption in Chandigarh, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Vigilance have allegedly remained inactive. He demanded that all allegations be investigated impartially and without political influence.
AAP to raise all matters in Municipal Corporation House
Yogesh Dhingra made it clear that AAP will strongly raise all these matters in the upcoming meeting of the Municipal Corporation House.
He said the BJP will be asked to provide written replies on each issue and AAP will fight to ensure accountability for every rupee collected from the people through taxes. He said merely forming committees or giving the appearance of an inquiry would not be sufficient; those responsible must be identified, the allegations must be investigated independently and appropriate action must follow wherever wrongdoing is established.
Memorandum to Governor seeking high-level independent investigation
Yogesh Dhingra announced that Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh will also submit a detailed memorandum to the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh regarding all these alleged scams and financial irregularities.
Through the memorandum, AAP will demand a high-level, independent and impartial investigation into the various matters that have surfaced in the functioning of the Municipal Corporation over the past several years.
The party will also demand that relevant departmental records, tender documents, payments, recruitment processes, project files and financial transactions be brought within the scope of the investigation, and that strict action be taken in accordance with law against any officials, contractors or elected representatives found responsible after due investigation.
He said that this is not merely a political fight involving one party or one leader; it is a fight for the hard-earned money of the people of Chandigarh and the future of the city. AAP will continue to raise its voice until these allegations are independently investigated and the people are given a clear account of how their money was utilised.
Yogesh Dhingra concluded by saying that the BJP can no longer hide behind committees and must come before the people with a complete account of the Municipal Corporation’s functioning over the last 10–12 years. He said AAP will continue to raise these issues from the Municipal Corporation House to the Raj Bhavan and before the people of Chandigarh, and will continue its struggle to establish accountability for every rupee belonging to the citizens of Chandigarh.
