The Delhi Legislative Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes on Wednesday as legislators from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by minister Parvesh Verma, staged a theatrical protest to highlight alleged irregularities in the renovation of 6, Flagstaff Road—the former official residence of ex-chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In a symbolic display, BJP members unfurled a long roll of printed receipts on the Assembly floor, visually representing what they described as excessive public expenditure. As Verma read out itemised costs—including furnishings, furniture, toilet fittings, saunas, curtains, and rugs—MLAs formed two human chains to support the extended document across the House.
Verma likened the episode to a fictional “Rehman Dakait” moment, alleging that “public money was looted while people were suffering.” The protest came two days after a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on the residence’s renovation was tabled in the Assembly.
Allegations of Escalating Costs
During the debate, Verma claimed that the cost of the project had surged from an initial ₹7 crore to ₹58 crore. Drawing a comparison with the Covid-19 crisis, he argued that such funds could have been used to significantly bolster healthcare infrastructure. “At a time when Delhi struggled for oxygen and hospital beds, a file marked ‘most urgent’ pertained to the construction of a palace,” he said.
He further alleged that 28 trees were cut without requisite permissions within the premises and claimed that an additional three-storey structure, described as a camp office, was under construction—dubbed by the BJP as “Sheesh Mahal Part 2.”
The BJP has consistently referred to the property as “Sheesh Mahal,” portraying it as a symbol of alleged extravagance during Kejriwal’s tenure.
Government Orders Further Probe
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who addressed the Assembly, termed the matter serious and said the CAG report pointed to “significant financial irregularities.” The House subsequently approved referring the findings to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for further investigation.
Gupta criticised what she described as a contradiction between earlier political commitments and subsequent actions. “Those who promised to change politics ended up changing their homes,” she remarked, while also alleging that public funds may have been used for renovations linked to other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
AAP Hits Back
Responding to the allegations, the AAP dismissed the BJP’s claims and accused it of selective outrage. A party spokesperson questioned the criticism, pointing to what it described as high-value government expenditures elsewhere.
“It is ironic that those who procured a VVIP boat worth ₹6.2 crore are raising questions over a ₹30 crore chief minister’s residence,” the spokesperson said, while also calling for transparency regarding the reported costs of the Prime Minister’s new residence.
Political Flashpoint
The issue has intensified political tensions in the national capital, with both sides trading allegations over public spending and governance priorities. With the matter now referred to the PAC, further scrutiny is expected in the coming weeks as the controversy continues to unfold.
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