Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 6: Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of indulging in extravagant and questionable spending on the renovation of his official residence, infamously known as ‘Sheesh Mahal’.
Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Sachdeva alleged that the renovation costs had exceeded Rs 33.66 crore by 2022, with the total expenditure remaining unclear.
During a press conference, Sachdeva claimed that Kejriwal, in connivance with the Public Works Department (PWD), engaged in corrupt practices to refurbish the bungalow. He further alleged that the Rs 33.66 crore figure could be just the tip of the iceberg, with additional unaccounted costs from 2023 and 2024 potentially raising the total amount significantly.
"What was the emergency that warranted transforming this residence into a palace?" Sachdeva questioned. "Some portions of the structure were reportedly temporary, with changes in servant quarters, raising doubts about the necessity of such lavish renovations. The CAG report exposes the black deeds of Arvind Kejriwal and his manipulative intentions behind this project."
The CAG report raised 139 critical questions, including the lack of necessary approvals from the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Sachdeva accused the PWD of bending rules to favour Kejriwal's extravagant demands, which, according to him, allowed officials to benefit from the irregularities while looting the people of Delhi.
Detailing the costly renovations, Sachdeva listed multiple work orders, starting with an initial estimate of Rs 7.91 crore in September 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Further additions included Rs 1.62 crore for kitchen and laundry upgrades, Rs 9.09 crore for expanding the bungalow's super area, Rs 5.73 crore for beautification, and Rs 9.34 crore for ornamental works, culminating in a total cost of over Rs 33 crore.
Highlighting some of the lavish purchases, Sachdeva pointed out motor-operated curtains costing Rs 5.5 crore, a premium recliner sofa priced at Rs 10 lakh, and a Samsung refrigerator worth Rs 9 lakh. "Kejriwal, have you opened a hotel?" he mocked. "Even luxury hotels don’t indulge in such extravagance."
Adding further fuel to the allegations, Sachdeva mentioned missing inventory from the CM residence as of October 11, 2024, which, if accounted for, could potentially raise the total cost to an alarming Rs 75-80 crore.
In light of these revelations, Sachdeva demanded a thorough investigation into the accounts of several government departments, including the PWD, to uncover the full extent of the alleged misuse of public funds.
The BJP continues to criticize the AAP’s claims of transparency, calling the extravagant expenditures a clear example of corruption and hypocrisy.