NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday released a video accusing Aam Aadmi Party supremo and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of steering away from his old promise of living in a two-room house and building a “den of loot” as he came to power.
Posting a video on the official X handle of Delhi BJP, the party said that Kejriwal was busy gathering things for his debauchery in Sheeshmahal while the national capital was plagued by a pandemic like Corona.
“There was a time when big promises were made to end the VIP culture. One person entered politics, and the public, swayed by his smooth talk, crowned him with power. But as soon as he came to power, he shattered the public’s trust. Everyone who considered him a common man was ashamed. While talking about the common man, he made himself special and gathered all the luxuries for himself. The truth of this hypocrisy hidden under the guise of a common man has been exposed,” BJP said.
“The public has uncovered the massive loot under the name of a palace. Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about Arvind Kejriwal, who changed colors faster than a chameleon once he gained power. Kejriwal, who once spoke against taking a bungalow, built a 52-crore palace with the public’s hard-earned money. And not only did he build the palace, but he also furnished it with luxuries that even a seven-star hotel doesn’t offer,” it added.
BJP alleged that the CM residence includes 5-crore remote-controlled curtains, a 1-crore railing, 70-lakh automatic doors, 65-lakh TVs, 30-lakh remote-controlled lights, a 9-lakh fridge, and a 4-lakh massage chair.
“However, the so-called honest and simple Kejriwal’s palace includes 5-crore remote-controlled curtains, a 1-crore railing, 70-lakh automatic doors, 65-lakh TVs, 30-lakh remote-controlled lights, a 9-lakh fridge, and a 4-lakh massage chair. The list is very long. Moreover, Kejriwal is so ‘common’ that the cost of one of his toilet seats is 12 lakh,” BJP alleged.
“He was so fond of this ‘ordinary’ toilet seat that he took it with him when he vacated the palace. After all, indulgence is a big thing, even if it means emptying Delhi’s treasury to fulfill Kejriwal’s ‘common’ desires or drowning Delhi in debt for the first time in 30 years. But the grandeur of Kejriwal, who surpassed great emperors in his royal lifestyle, should not diminish at all,” it added.
Meanwhile, challenging the BJP over its allegations on the “Sheesh Mahal” issue, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lived in a “Rajmahal” worth Rs 2,700 crores and challenged the BJP to open it up for a similar visit with the media.
The Rajya Sabha MP alleged that all of BJP, from the prime minister to his party members, is running a propaganda campaign over the “Sheesh Mahal”.
The CM’s official residence, which underwent renovations in 2020-21, has been at the centre of a controversy following BJP’s allegations of “excessive expenditure” and violation of norms.
AAP has consistently maintained that the house was not intended solely for Kejriwal, but for every subsequent CM. Later, when Kejriwal resigned from the post, his successor Atishi moved to the residence but had to vacate after PWD said it was yet to take stock of inventories before making a fresh allotment.