In a step that is bound to spark controversy over the last Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will give reporters a “guided tour” of ‘Sheeshmahal’—the opulent bungalow in Delhi that was used by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister’s residence. This follows only a few days after BJP recaptured the national capital.
In Civil Lines’ Flagstaff Road, the bungalow was in the spotlight due to its lavish refurbishments, which have been utilized by the BJP to attack Kejriwal’s so-called “aam aadmi” (common man) image. Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, who recently defeated Kejriwal in the polls, stated that the tour would reveal how tax money had purportedly been used to finance the former chief minister’s lavish lifestyle.
The term ‘Sheeshmahal,’ first employed by the BJP last year, has now become a corruption issue against Kejriwal, who entered politics a decade back with an anti-corruption mandate. The bungalow makeovers are claimed to have incurred around Rs 33 crore, with accusations of the AAP government having included pricey luxuries, such as a jacuzzi.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has alleged that the modernisation took the form of merging four government buildings into a gigantic complex that spreads over 50,000 square meters. He has written to Lt Governor VK Saxena officially to cancel this consolidation.
Despite the AAP’s recent election loss, with the party now in opposition after coming second to the BJP, the BJP has proceeded with plans to showcase the bungalow. Kejriwal resided in ‘Sheeshmahal’ from 2015 to 2024. Meanwhile, elected Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has opted not to take up residence in the bungalow, and discussions on its future continue.
