During a relentless poll campaign, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’ official residence became a bone of contention.
The BJP accused Kejriwal of spending public money on a luxurious upgrade of the bungalow on 6, Flagstaff Road. A CAG report, pointing to a four-fold jump between budgeting for the renovation and the final cost, served as fresh ammo.
Kejriwal took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that a man who lives in a house worth Rs 2,700 crore, travels on an Rs 8,400 crore plane and wears a Rs 10 lakh suit must not talk about Sheesh Mahal.
However, BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari told NDTV that AAP has realised it is on the back foot. “The people of Delhi are asking Arvind Kejriwal a basic question, he came to politics promising that he would live in a 2 BHK apartment, that he would not take VVIP security. During Covid, when everybody was suffering and people wanted help, Mr Kejriwal spent Rs 52 crore (on the bungalow),” he said.