AAP’s ₹33.66 Crore Renovation Sparks Controversy: From Curtains to Marble, Kejriwal’s Residence Under Fire
Opposition Slams Lavish Spending as AAP Defends Renovation Amid Election Heat
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), once known for its advocacy of the common man’s cause, is facing fierce political backlash following the release of a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report detailing an extravagant ₹33.66 crore renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence. Originally estimated at ₹7.91 crore, the cost of refurbishing 6, Flag Staff Road skyrocketed by an astonishing 342%, raising eyebrows over the lavish spending that stands in stark contrast to the party’s image of austerity.
The renovation, which includes lavish upgrades such as ₹96 lakh worth of curtains, a minibar, and ₹73 lakh spent on high-end LED TVs, paints a picture of opulence. Other extravagant additions include Italian marble worth ₹14 lakh replacing standard tiles, gym equipment priced at ₹18.52 lakh, and steam and sauna baths that cost ₹19.55 lakh. The bathrooms alone feature thermostatic showers that contributed ₹40 lakh to the overall bill, with additional luxuries like eight bedrooms, three meeting rooms, and twelve bathrooms designed with every imaginable comfort.
The project also included more than ₹60 lakh for modular kitchens spread across three floors and ₹50 lakh spent on carpets, with the overall price tag for the residence’s makeover now surpassing many public welfare projects. This massive expenditure on luxury amenities has become a point of contention, with critics accusing the government of hypocrisy and an abandonment of its core values of simplicity and austerity.
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Opposition parties have seized on the issue, with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit sarcastically commenting, “Mini bar for the meeting of the common man!” He questioned the AAP’s commitment to its professed values, pointing to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s picture in the house as an indication of its shift towards hypocrisy. The BJP has called the renovation a “scam,” demanding accountability from a party that once campaigned on promises of honesty and simplicity.
Despite the mounting criticism, AAP has defended the renovation, dismissing the uproar as a distraction ahead of the upcoming elections. However, the public remains divided as Kejriwal’s government continues to face scrutiny for what many perceive as an ironic departure from the party’s original pledges of humble governance. With elections on the horizon, the question remains whether voters will overlook the controversy or hold the AAP accountable for its lavish spending at a time when many expect the party to stay true to its roots of austerity and simplicity.
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