CAG Report on Kejriwal's Residence Ignites Political Firestorm in Delhi Assembly
The proceedings of the Delhi Assembly on Wednesday were dominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report concerning the renovation of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta strongly condemned the findings, labeling the report a "document of moral decline" and demanding stringent action against those found culpable.
Unanimous Approval for PAC Investigation
The House unanimously approved Gupta's proposal to refer the matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a thorough and detailed investigation. This move underscores the legislative body's commitment to scrutinizing the alleged financial irregularities highlighted in the report.
Staggering Cost Overruns Revealed
The CAG report, which was tabled on Monday, disclosed that the renovation project was completed at a cost of Rs 33.6 crore, representing a staggering 342% increase above the initial estimated cost. The residence, often mockingly referred to as 'Sheesh Mahal' by the BJP as a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has become a focal point of political contention.
Allegations of Additional Construction and Financial Mismanagement
PWD Minister Parvesh Verma initiated the discussion in the Assembly, asserting that "Sheesh Mahal is not one, but two." He claimed that an additional structure spanning nearly 4,000 square yards was being constructed alongside the main residence and remained incomplete. According to Verma, approximately Rs 25 crore had already been expended on this project, with the total cost anticipated to escalate to Rs 60 crore.
Verma further elaborated that the initial tender was valued at Rs 7.9 crore but was incrementally increased in multiple stages. He alleged that the same contractor consistently secured the work, suggesting that the tender process was deliberately structured to favor this outcome. Additionally, Verma highlighted that during the pandemic, the project was accorded priority status, with related files marked as "most urgent."
Criticism of AAP's Governance and Priorities
Targeting the AAP and Kejriwal, Verma accused them of reneging on earlier commitments regarding government facilities. He also stated that trees were felled and existing structures at the site were demolished to facilitate the renovation.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a scathing attack on the AAP, remarking that those who constructed a 'Sheesh Mahal' in Delhi have now relocated to what she described as a 'Sheesh Mahal-2' in Punjab. She accused Kejriwal of behaving like an "emperor", alleging that he perceives himself as a ruler while treating the citizens of Delhi as mere subjects.
Gupta contended that at a time when Delhi urgently required investments in essential infrastructure such as roads and flyovers, the AAP-led government was preoccupied with creating 'world-class' interiors for official residences. "The promise of simplicity remained only a slogan, while the reality reflected a culture of extravagance," she asserted. Gupta also alleged that the residence was neither accessible to the public nor utilized for public hearings, thereby denying ordinary citizens any entry.
AAP's Counterarguments and Defense
The discussion occurred in the absence of AAP MLAs, as the party has boycotted the budget session. However, an AAP functionary responded to the BJP's criticisms, questioning the transparency surrounding the Prime Minister's residence. "During the period when the official residence of the Delhi CM was being renovated, the PM’s residence was also being built. Yet, every detail of the CM’s residence is in the public domain, while every detail of the PM’s residence has been kept secret. How is this justified? When will this country have an honest discussion about its expenditure?" the functionary stated.
The AAP further emphasized their readiness for a fair debate but insisted that it cannot be selective, targeting only one residence. "We have been saying this for the last two years, and we are reiterating it now," the functionary added. In a pointed retort, the AAP referenced reports about the Delhi government initiating the procurement of two air-conditioned boats for Yamuna inspection, costing Rs 6.2 crore, questioning the BJP's moral authority to critique a Rs 30-crore CM residence.
This unfolding controversy highlights deep-seated political rivalries and raises significant questions about governance, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in public expenditure within the capital's political landscape.
