'Common man or conman': BJP targets Kejriwal over CAG's findings on CM residence
The BJP on Sunday went all guns blazing after the audit report of Delhi Chief Minister's residence showed massive escalation in cost of renovation which reportedly went from initial estimates of Rs 7.91 crore to Rs 33.66 crores upon completion.
BJP leader and candidate from New Delhi constituency, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said that former CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was residing in that house, is no longer a common man but a conman.
“From Muffler Man to Mansion Man—CAG flags @ArvindKejriwal’s Rs 33 crore splurge on his 'Sheesh Mahal.' AAP’s promises of simplicity lie shattered. Common man or conman? Curtains can’t hide corruption!,” the BJP leader said, tagging a news report in a post on X.
According to media reports, the audit report was signed off by Comptroller and Auditor General Girish Chandra Murmu, just a week before he demitted office on November 20, 2024.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the CAG's audit report does not give the entire picture of the expenses as the Delhi government officials kept some information “concealed”.
“The audit report that has come out does not reveal the full truth yet. The departments of the Delhi government have only shared partial information, and some things have been concealed.”
He said that the estimated Rs 33 crore being speculated is the amount spent by Kejriwal on the “Sheesh Mahal”, but according to his information, there is Rs 70-80 crore expenditure, which the AAP supremo has misused from Delhi taxpayers' money.
The BJP has been using the term “sheesh mahal” to target Kejriwal.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala, quoting the media report, said that the audit report is said to have a section on “irregularities” by PWD related to the “remodelling” of existing accommodation on the ground floor and the construction of an “additional storey.”
The report, which is yet to be placed before the Delhi Assembly, is learnt to have highlighted: “doubtful” selection of consultants, frequent revision of estimates and going beyond approvals to include items of higher specifications.
“On one hand PM Narendra Modi built 'Sapnon Ka Mahal' for poor and on other hand AAP-da Kejriwal built Brashtachar ka Sheesh Mahal,” Poonawala posted on X.
