BJP’s ‘Rs 45 Crore Arvind Kejriwal Home Renovation’ Charge, AAP’s Rebuttal

New Delhi: 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spent more than ₹ 45 crore on renovating his residence, the BJP said on Wednesday, accusing him of extravagant hypocrisy, and prompting emphatic rebuttals involving videos of crumbling ceilings by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Mr Kejriwal, who leads the AAP, had betrayed his promise of promoting honesty and simplicity when he entered politics. He called him a “Maharaja,” or king, and said he had a “lust for luxury and comfort.”

Mr Patra also alleged, without evidence, that Mr Kejriwal had offered ₹ 20 to 50 crore to media houses to suppress the story, but they had ignored his offer.

He cited documents that showed that Mr Kejriwal’s residence had been fitted with expensive marble from Vietnam, pre-fabricated wooden walls and curtains that cost lakhs of rupees each. One curtain alone cost more than ₹ 7.94 lakh, he said.

“This is the story of a shameless king,” Mr Patra said at a news conference.

He contrasted Mr Kejriwal’s lavish spending with his earlier speeches, in which he had criticised politicians for living in ostentatious houses and enjoying other facilities at public expense. He had also claimed that he was content with a four- or five-room house and did not need a bigger one.