BJP targets Kejriwal over CAG report on CM residence’s renovation cost

The BJP on Sunday went all guns blazing after the audit report of Delhi Chief Minister's residence showed massive hike in the cost of renovation. It reportedly went from the initial estimate of Rs 7.91 crore to Rs 33.66 crore upon completion.

BJP leader and candidate from New Delhi constituency, Parvesh Sahib Singh 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 the news report.

The audit report was signed off by Comptroller and Auditor General Girish Chandra Murmu, just a week before he demitted office on November 20. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the CAG's report did not give the full picture of the expenses as the Delhi government officials kept some information "concealed".

He added the total expenditure came to around Rs 70 crore, which Kejriwal has ‘misused’ from Delhi taxpayers' money. The BJP has been using the term “sheesh mahal”, a colloquial Hindi term for an opulent house, to target Kejriwal.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala, quoting the media report, said the audit report was 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, highlights: “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.