Delhi turned into a political battleground on Wednesday as a fierce confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified over allegations of extravagant spending on the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road. The BJP accused Kejriwal of misusing public funds, alleging that over ₹40 crore was spent to transform the residence into a luxurious "Sheeshmahal." In retaliation, AAP fired back, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy, citing the construction of the Prime Minister’s residence at a staggering ₹2,700 crore, which they dubbed a "Raj Mahal."
The day began with high drama as AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj attempted to march towards the Prime Minister’s residence to stage a protest. The Delhi Police, however, stopped them mid-way, citing security concerns. In a parallel move, AAP announced a media tour of the Chief Minister’s residence to debunk BJP’s claims of luxury renovations. This plan, too, was thwarted, with police officials denying entry, allegedly under instructions from higher authorities.
Outside the Chief Minister’s bungalow, a tense standoff unfolded as AAP leaders engaged in heated arguments with the police, questioning their authority to block access to the premises. Minister Bharadwaj accused the police of acting under orders from the Lieutenant Governor (LG), stating, “I am the minister. Why do I need permission to visit the Chief Minister’s residence? This shows that the BJP is controlling the narrative and misusing administrative power.” He further alleged that the barricades set up outside the residence were intended to prevent the media from exposing the BJP’s false claims. “Show us the swimming pool and the bar that BJP is talking about. Let the media see for themselves,” Bharadwaj challenged.
MP Sanjay Singh joined in, questioning the barricades near the residence and accusing the BJP of avoiding scrutiny. "The BJP has been releasing videos and photos daily, but now that we’ve invited them to verify their claims, they are running away. What are they afraid of?" he asked. Singh also accused the BJP of trying to shift public attention from the real issues affecting Delhi residents, such as education, health, and infrastructure development.
Simultaneously, BJP leaders, led by Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, staged their own protests. Sachdeva visited the residence of AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi, questioning her decision to occupy a different property while the Chief Minister allegedly continued to reside at the Flagstaff Road bungalow. “This property is allotted to Atishi Marlena, who is now listed as the Chief Minister of Delhi in official allotments. Why then does she not occupy it? Why does Kejriwal insist on living in what they call a ‘Sheeshmahal’?” Sachdeva asked. He accused AAP of not only mismanaging public funds but also misleading the people of Delhi with false narratives.
Atishi, in her defense, alleged that the Centre, led by the BJP, had revoked the allotment of the Flagstaff Road bungalow on grounds of non-occupation. She argued that this was part of a larger political vendetta designed to disrupt AAP’s governance and tarnish its reputation in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5. “This is a deliberate attempt by the BJP to create unnecessary controversies and distract voters. They know they cannot match our work on education, health, and infrastructure, so they resort to mudslinging,” Atishi stated.
Adding to the day’s theatrics, AAP leaders attempted to proceed towards the Prime Minister’s residence later in the day. This move was met with stern resistance from the Delhi Police, who implemented restrictions under Section 163 (formerly Section 144) in the area, citing that “no one can enter someone’s residence without permission.” The police urged AAP leaders to refrain from protests that could escalate tensions further.
The BJP, on the other hand, continued its attack on AAP, accusing the party of gross misuse of taxpayer money. “Kejriwal must answer the people of Delhi. Over ₹40 crore has been spent on luxuries while the common man struggles with inflation and poor infrastructure,” Sachdeva said, emphasizing the need for accountability. He also dismissed AAP’s counter-allegations regarding the Prime Minister’s residence, calling them baseless distractions.
This controversy comes at a critical juncture, with the Delhi Assembly elections just weeks away. AAP, which has been in power since 2015, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the BJP is determined to wrest control of the capital. The renovation allegations have become a flashpoint, with both parties using the issue to galvanize their supporters and sway public opinion.
Observers believe that the escalating tensions highlight the high stakes involved in the upcoming elections. With polling scheduled for February 5 and results to be announced on February 8, both AAP and BJP are leaving no stone unturned in their battle for Delhi’s 70 assembly seats. As the narrative continues to unfold, the renovation controversy is expected to remain a central theme, reflecting the deeply polarized political environment in the capital.
