Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 10: Even as the BJP has taken up the process for selecting the chief minister of Delhi, the party has decided not to use the much-maligned “Sheesh Mahal,” the alleged luxurious bungalow the former Aam Aadmi Party chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had renovated as his official bungalow.
The BJP sources said the party had urged the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to “restore” the “Sheesh Mahal” to its original position. The BJP has contended that the alleged “Sheesh Mahal” was constructed by merging four government properties to expand the grounds at 6, Flagstaff Road.
The proposal could be cancelled by Mr Saxena following a request by the BJP. The building, originally intended as a Type 5 bungalow, has been converted into a Type 8, reserved only for senior cabinet ministers, the BJP has contended. The conversion of the bungalow, a Rs 33.6 crore makeover, had converted into a palace fitted with jacuzzi and gold-plated toilets suitable for the urban rich. In the hands of the BJP, it turned into a potent political weapon that helped end the 10-year rule of Mr Kejriwal’s AAP.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the bungalow was expanded by merging four government properties and he has written to the Lt Governor for cancelling the amalgamation. Mr Kejriwal had transformed the bungalow into “an ultra-luxurious ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by “illegally annexing” neighbouring government properties.
“The scope of these unauthorized alterations is particularly concerning. What was meant to be a standard official residence has been transformed into a lavish complex spanning more than 50,000 square meters,” his letter read.
The BJP has already declared that the new Chief Minister would not live in the bungalow and it is likely to be turned into a museum. The new government will take a final call regarding future use of the bungalow. The reconstructed bungalow was the official residence of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister from 2015 to October 2024 when he vacated it after resigning from the top post.
Outgoing Chief Minister Atishi, who retained her seat in Kalkaji in the Assembly polls, submitted her resignation to the L-G. Mr Saxena asked her to continue until the new government’s formation is complete. After AAP’s loss in the Delhi Assembly elections, caretaker Chief Minister Atishi said the party would ensue the accountability of the BJP government.
Assuring the public that AAP will play the role of ‘responsible’ opposition, Atishi said the party would ensure that every woman receives the said amount and other benefits promised by the BJP. “BJP promised that in the first cabinet meeting, the scheme of Rs 2,500 will be passed and by 8th March, Rs 2,500 will be deposited in the accounts of all women of Delhi. AAP will ensure accountability of the BJP on this and ensure that every woman in Delhi gets this Rs 2,500 from the BJP. We will also ensure that the work that AAP has done in the last 10 years is not stopped by the BJP.” Ms Atishi said.
BJP leader Vijender Gupta slammed the AAP, describing its years of misgovernance in Delhi and stating that the party failed to fulfil its commitments while in power. He also asserted that the BJP would ensure the delivery of all promises made to the people. BJP has not declared a CM face for Assembly elections. Mr Sachdeva had said the decision would lie with the party’s central high-command, which includes the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The party sources, however, said the top leadership was seized with the idea of naming a woman as the Delhi’s next chief minister and a person from “under-represented” background as a deputy chief minister.
