Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's Official Residence Gets A Makeover Worth Rs 44.78 Crore, AAP Says It Was Necessary

From 2020-2022, Delhi government paid approximately Rs 44.78 crore for renovating the official residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The expenditure included imported marble, luxurious interiors, high-end kitchen equipment, and electrical fixtures.

On Tuesday evening, there was a buzz surrounding the spend details. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) clarified that the house was in poor condition and remained government property.

Additionally, the AAP compared the amount spent to that invested in housing for other leaders, such as the upcoming residential complex for the Prime Minister as part of the new Central Vista.

Delhi BJP President, Virendra Sachdeva, expressed shock that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when development projects were being postponed due to lack of funds, Kejriwal used Rs 44.78 crore on the beautification of his home and office from 2020 to 2022.

Sachdeva referred to Kejriwal's residence as a fancy, "glass house" and called for it to be opened for public viewing.

“The house was in a dilapidated condition, having been built 80 years ago in 1942. After three serious incidents, which included the ceiling of the CM’s parents’ room falling, the ceiling of the CM’s bedroom collapsing, and the office ceiling collapsing, the Public Works Department recommended the construction of a new house,” the AAP said.

AAP justified the Rs 30 crore construction work by comparing it to the Rs 467 crore estimate for the Prime Minister's new 36,268 sq ft house.

“PM Modi’s house is being reconstructed and the estimate of the project is Rs 500 crore. The PM has spent Rs 8,400 crore on buying a new aeroplane,” AAP leader Raghav Chadha told TV channels.

According to HT, documents revealing the modifications done in the chief minister's dwelling and workspace situated in Civil Lines indicate that around Rs.25.93 crore was spent on various interior enhancements.

These expenses comprise Rs11.3 crore for interior decorations, Rs.6 crore for imported marble sourced from Vietnam, Rs 1 crore for interior consultancy, Rs 5.43 crore for electrical, automatic smart lighting and firefighting systems, Rs 1.1 crore for appliances in the kitchen, and Rs 1 crore on wooden flooring.

According to the Public Works Department's refurbishing orders for the bungalow, expenses of over Rs 33 crore were made. The orders reveal that the work worth Rs 7.9 crore was issued on 1 September 2020; Rs 1.64 crore on 8 June 2021; Rs 9.08 crore on 22 October 2021; Rs 5.73 crore on 30 December 2021; and Rs 9.34 crore on 29 June 2022.

Furthermore, the orders indicate that an expense of Rs 5 crore was incurred on artistic and ornamental work while curtains cost around Rs 45.5 lakh.

Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, the leader of opposition in Delhi and a BJP leader, stated that no explanation could justify the costs incurred.

“Kejriwal had said that I will not take any bungalow, car, security and frills; he got all these facilities after becoming the chief minister. He came into politics claiming simplicity. In his first stint (as CM), he came in the Metro to take oath and tried to show that he is a common man, but ...,” he said.