NEW DELHI — The Delhi Legislative Assembly turned into a theatrical stage on Wednesday as the BJP and AAP traded sharp barbs over allegations of financial extravagance. The spark for the confrontation was a recently tabled Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report concerning the renovation of 6, Flagstaff Road—the former official residence of Arvind Kejriwal.
BJP Minister Parvesh Verma led the charge with a cinematic flourish, unspooling a massive roll of receipts that stretched across the aisle, supported by a human chain of legislators.
The BJP’s “Sheesh Mahal” Allegations
Verma compared the former CM’s spending habits to “Rehman Dakait,” a fictional looter, claiming that public funds were diverted while Delhi citizens struggled during the pandemic.
Key Allegations from the BJP:
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Cost Escalation: Claims the project cost spiked from an initial ₹7 crore to ₹58 crore.
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The “ICU” Comparison: Verma argued the funds spent on the residence could have built 2,300 ICU beds during the oxygen crisis.
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Luxury Fixings: The “roll of receipts” listed expenditures including ₹1.05 crore on tables, ₹36 lakh on sofas, and ₹28 lakh on almirahs.
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Environmental Concerns: Allegations that 28 trees were felled without proper permission.
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“Part 2”: Claims of a new three-story “camp office” currently under construction.
Current Chief Minister Rekha Gupta supported the debate, noting that the report highlighted “serious financial irregularities” and referred the matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a deep-dive investigation.
AAP Strikes Back: “What About the PM’s House?”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dismissed the demonstration as a political stunt, launching a counter-offensive centered on central government spending.
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The VVIP Boat: AAP questioned the irony of the BJP’s criticism, pointing to the purchase of a ₹6.2 crore VVIP boat by the current administration.
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The Central Vista Challenge: An AAP spokesperson demanded a full public disclosure of the costs associated with the Prime Minister’s new residence, which they alleged cost “thousands of crores.”
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The Defense: The party maintained that the residence is a government asset, not personal property, and accused the BJP of trying to distract from their own “luxurious” acquisitions.
What’s Next?
The Assembly has officially referred the CAG report to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). This ensures that the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy will remain a central fixture of Delhi politics as the committee audits every rug, sauna, and curtain mentioned in the receipts.
