The controversy surrounding the alleged extravagant expenses on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence, dubbed “Sheesh Mahal,” has drawn sharp criticism from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress ahead of the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
BJP’s Allegations
Leader of Opposition in Delhi, Vijender Gupta, accused AAP of corruption and misuse of public funds, citing expenses highlighted in a CAG report.
“Arvind Kejriwal’s real face has been brought to light. AAP claimed they wouldn’t take vehicles or bungalows, but they built a 50,000 sq. ft. ‘Sheesh Mahal,’ spent Rs. 5 crore on curtains, and Rs. 12 crore on a toilet seat. This is an example of open corruption,” Gupta said in an interview with ANI.
He further claimed that the Delhi government is bankrupt and accused the AAP of withholding multiple CAG reports that expose financial mismanagement. Gupta expressed confidence that voters would hold AAP accountable in the upcoming elections.
Congress Joins the Criticism
Congress leader Alka Lamba also criticized Kejriwal, questioning the fairness of spending Rs. 33 crore on a temporary CM residence when the funds could have been used for pressing issues like air pollution, water supply, and inflation.
“The CM’s house is temporary, but spending Rs. 33 crore on it is unfair to taxpayers. Kejriwal owes an explanation to the people of Delhi,” Lamba remarked.
Lamba, Congress’s candidate from the Kalkaji constituency, accused AAP of neglecting the public’s needs while indulging in personal extravagance. She highlighted her party’s commitment to addressing inflation and unemployment through initiatives like the ‘Pyari Didi’ scheme, which promises Rs. 2,500 monthly to women.
Congress candidate from Kasturba Nagar, Abhishek Dutt, referred to the residence as “the house of corruption” and demanded it be sealed pending investigation.
Background and Political Context
The CAG report, which reportedly details the expenses, has fueled the opposition’s campaign against AAP. BJP and Congress leaders have accused AAP of hypocrisy, contrasting Kejriwal’s earlier stance on austerity with the reported lavish spending.
Delhi elections are crucial for all three parties:
- AAP, which secured a landslide victory in 2020 by winning 62 of the 70 assembly seats, faces criticism for its governance record.
- BJP, holding eight seats, is eyeing a larger share of the Delhi electorate.
- Congress, with no seats in the last two elections, is striving for a comeback by focusing on alleged corruption and mismanagement by AAP.
As the elections approach, the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy is likely to be a focal point in campaigns, potentially influencing voter sentiment.