New Delhi: A “guided tour” of the ‘Sheeshmahal’ – the bungalow where Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal stayed during his tenure — will be conducted by the BJP for reporters. The announcement came soon after the party reclaimed power in the national capital after almost 27 years.
The Flagstaff Road bungalow in Civil Lines was at the heart of a controversy before the February elections due to its extravagant renovations. With ‘Sheeshmahal’ in spotlight, the BJP challenged Kejriwal’s portrayal of himself as an ‘aam aadmi’ (common man).
Parvesh Verma, who recently won against Kejriwal in the polls, told reporters on Monday that he would take them inside the bungalow to show how the former AAP government spent taxpayers’ money to sustain the chief minister’s lavish lifestyle.
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The term ‘Sheeshmahal,’ a colloquial Hindi expression for a luxurious home, was coined by the BJP last year. It soon turned into one of their most damaging tools to accuse Kejriwal of graft, despite his entry into politics 10 years ago with a reputation as an anti-corruption campaigner.
Rs 33 crore spent on renovation
The AAP allegedly splurged Rs 33 crore on the makeover of ‘Sheeshmahal’, with the BJP alleging that the party added luxurious features, including a jacuzzi. The BJP also shared pictures of the renovations to back their claims.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva had claimed that four government properties were merged to make it into a lavish complex covering 50,000 sq metres. He has shot off a letter to Lt Governor VK Saxena to scrap the merger.
However, the BJP has decided to take reporters inside the bungalow, following the humiliating defeat of the AAP in the February assembly polls. Kejriwal’s party now in the opposition, after it secured second place behind the BJP.
Kejriwal stayed in this bungalow while he was the Chief Minister between 2015 and 2024. The new Delhi CM, Rekha Gupta, has said that she won’t stay in the bungalow. It is yet to be decided how the bungalow will be used in the future.
