BJP leaders and workers staged a protest outside the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Feroz Shah Road on Thursday, escalating their criticism over the alleged extravagant renovation of his former official residence. The BJP has labeled the 6 Flagstaff Road bungalow in Civil Lines, previously occupied by Kejriwal as Delhi’s chief minister, a “Sheesh Mahal” (glass palace) and questioned the funding behind the opulent additions.
Virendra Sachdeva, the head of the Delhi BJP, announced the demonstration on Wednesday and charged that Kejriwal was squandering taxpayer money on his lavish lifestyle. He emphasized the need for accountability regarding high-end furnishings reportedly installed in the bungalow.
Citing an inventory allegedly prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD), BJP leaders highlighted discrepancies in the items listed for the property in 2022 and those found when Kejriwal vacated it in 2024. The inventory reportedly included premium fixtures such as luxury toilet seats, reclining sofas, high-end electronic appliances, and costly carpets. BJP claimed these additions were not supplied by the PWD and demanded clarity on their procurement. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, also wrote to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, urging a high-level investigation into the alleged extravagance.
The AAP dismissed these accusations as politically motivated, accusing the BJP of attempting to tarnish Kejriwal’s reputation. The party stated, “Despite numerous investigations launched by the BJP against AAP leaders, not a single rupee of wrongdoing has been proven. Such tactics will not intimidate us.” AAP also emphasized that Kejriwal vacated the official residence after resigning as chief minister, adhering to constitutional requirements, unlike some politicians who retain government accommodations.
The controversy gained momentum earlier this year when documents allegedly prepared by the PWD revealed discrepancies between the items allocated to the bungalow in 2022 and those listed after Kejriwal vacated it in 2024. BJP officials claim that these additional items cost crores of rupees, and they have questioned whether money from the controversial excise policy or organizations like the Delhi Jal Board was taken for the repairs.
BJP’s Virendra Sachdeva has criticized Kejriwal’s silence on the matter, labeling the alleged extravagance as emblematic of the “overflowing pot of sins of the Kejriwal government.” The issue remains a point of contention between the two parties.
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