BJP Protests Outside Kejriwal’s Residence Over ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy, Demands Investigation into Lavish Furnishings

 Members of the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by president Virendra Sachdeva, staged a major protest outside the residence of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, demanding answers regarding the alleged extravagant spending on the now-infamous 'Sheesh Mahal' bungalow. The controversy has deepened following the release of an inventory list showing lavish furnishings, including gold-plated fixtures, expensive furniture, and high-end decorations—items not supplied by the Public Works Department (PWD), according to BJP leaders.

Sachdeva criticized the “extravagant” additions, questioning their origin. "How did all these costly items get into the 'Sheesh Mahal'? Were they from the Punjab government, the liquor scam, or the Delhi Jal Board?" Sachdeva asked during a press conference, highlighting discrepancies between the PWD’s records and the luxurious items found at the bungalow after Kejriwal vacated it in 2024.

The PWD’s official records indicate that only basic furnishings were provided for the residence in 2022. However, the inventory after Kejriwal’s departure revealed items such as chandeliers worth lakhs, carpets valued at over ₹50 lakh, expensive toilet seats, premium wash basins, and costly electronic appliances. The BJP has raised concerns about the source of these lavish additions, citing a letter from a PWD official claiming no additional items were supplied after April 2022.

In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dismissed the BJP’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. "The BJP's continuous smear campaign against Arvind Kejriwal won't work. The people of Delhi can see through these false accusations," the AAP said in a statement. The party pointed out that, unlike other leaders who cling to official privileges, Kejriwal set an example by vacating the official residence in accordance with constitutional norms after resigning as Delhi Chief Minister.

The BJP, however, has remained steadfast in its demands for a high-level investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, has written to the Lieutenant Governor, calling for an inquiry into the source of the luxurious items found at Kejriwal’s former residence.

As the dispute rages on, the AAP accused the BJP of using these tactics to undermine the success of Kejriwal’s governance, pointing to the lack of evidence in numerous past investigations targeting party leaders.