BJP hits out at AAP over 'Sheesh Mahal' row as leaders clash with police outside CM's residence

A confrontation unfolded on Wednesday outside the official residence of Delhi’s Chief Minister, located at 6, Flagstaff Road, as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj were prevented from entering the bungalow by Delhi Police. This standoff occurred amid a bitter dispute with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the renovation of the bungalow, which the BJP has referred to as a "Sheesh Mahal" (Glass Palace). The BJP accuses the AAP government of spending excessive public funds on luxurious upgrades, including claims of a golden commode, a swimming pool, and a minibar, which the AAP leaders have denied.

The controversy erupted when the BJP alleged that over Rs 40 crore was spent on renovations at the CM's residence during the tenure of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP further claimed that the residence had been turned into a symbol of extravagance. AAP leaders, in response, attempted to enter the bungalow to disprove these allegations. Singh and Bharadwaj arrived with the intent to show the truth behind the claims, questioning the legitimacy of the BJP’s accusations. However, the police cited law and order concerns as the reason for barring their entry. Bharadwaj expressed frustration, questioning, “Who has given you the direction (to stop us)?”

Unable to enter the premises, Singh and Bharadwaj staged a dharna outside the residence to draw attention to the issue. They called for transparency regarding the costs of the renovations and disputed the claims made by the BJP about the features of the bungalow. The AAP leaders stated that the BJP’s accusations were baseless and part of an effort to malign the image of the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

As part of their counterargument, AAP leaders pointed to the cost of constructing the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, which has been a subject of previous controversy. AAP has repeatedly alleged that the PM’s residence was built at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, and leaders have called for a public inquiry into both the Chief Minister’s and the Prime Minister’s residences. They argue that if the allegations of misused public funds are to be scrutinized, both properties should undergo investigation, given the scale of the claims surrounding both buildings.

The controversy over the CM’s bungalow escalated when the Public Works Department (PWD) asked Chief Minister Atishi to vacate the property in October. The PWD stated that the official handover of the bungalow from Kejriwal’s administration had not been completed, and Atishi did not have the necessary allotment letter to continue occupying the residence. The department later withdrew its offer to allot the bungalow to Atishi, citing her failure to take physical possession of the property within three months. As a result, Atishi was offered alternative accommodations, and the PWD issued a request for her to select one of the other available properties.

The BJP has been critical of AAP’s management of public funds, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the Delhi government of prioritizing luxury projects over essential services. BJP spokespersons have suggested that the money spent on the CM’s residence could have been better utilized to address the pressing needs of citizens during the health crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticized the focus on renovating the CM’s residence during the pandemic, highlighting the contrast between the alleged lavish spending and the struggles of Delhi residents.

The political tensions surrounding the bungalow renovation continue to grow as the Delhi Assembly elections approach. Both the AAP and BJP are using the issue to bolster their respective positions, with the BJP emphasizing its allegations of corruption and the AAP attempting to defend its spending decisions. The outcome of this dispute could play a role in shaping voter perceptions ahead of the elections, with both parties leveraging the controversy to appeal to their constituencies.