New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on Thursday, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of extravagant spending on renovations. The alleged ₹ 45 crore expense on lavish furnishings, including gold-plated wash basins and lights, has become a focal point for the opposition.
Key Highlights of the Protest:
- The BJP’s protest outside Kejriwal’s Civil Lines bungalow saw strong participation from party leaders and supporters.
- Former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, who quit the party earlier this week, took part in the demonstration. Gahlot, in his resignation letter, criticized the AAP for compromising its core principles, specifically highlighting the “sheeshmahal” controversy.
- Gahlot echoed his concerns at the rally, saying the controversy made people question whether AAP still believes in representing the “common man” (aam aadmi).
- The protest comes ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections, with BJP leaders expressing confidence that the party will form the next Delhi government.
Allegations and Response:
The BJP has focused on the reported upgrades at Kejriwal’s official residence, calling the spending excessive. Virendra Sachdeva, BJP’s Delhi unit president, demanded transparency on how the funds for such luxurious renovations were sourced.
According to reports, the renovations included a ₹ 27 lakh TV set and gold-plated wash basins, which sparked outrage among the BJP. The Public Works Department of Delhi had reportedly expressed shock over the opulent upgrades after Kejriwal vacated the residence.
In response, the AAP maintained that the renovations were essential due to the age of the building, which was constructed in 1942. The party emphasized the necessity of modernizing the Chief Minister’s residence.
Political Implications:
The protest and the ongoing controversy over the “sheeshmahal” renovation come as BJP ramps up its campaign ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. The BJP’s focus on AAP’s alleged mismanagement of public resources is likely to play a central role in the opposition’s strategy to challenge the ruling party.
