The Congress party has accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of spending Rs 171 crore on his residence, instead of the reported Rs 45 crore. The additional amount was allegedly spent on buying flats for officers whose houses had to be either demolished or vacated for the expansion of the CM’s residential complex.
Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken accused Kejriwal of pretending to lead a simple lifestyle while actually spending crores on his residence. Maken compared Kejriwal to his party’s former chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, whom he called the epitome of simplicity in Delhi.
Maken alleged that the amount spent by Dikshit’s cabinet on their homes during their 15-year rule was much less than what Kejriwal spent on the renovation of his palace. These accusations come at a time when Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party is preparing for the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi.
Kejriwal had earlier claimed that his residence was renovated for the comfort of his family and visitors. He had also stated that the renovation cost was much less than what was being reported. However, Congress leaders have questioned Kejriwal’s claims and demanded a probe into the matter.
This is not the first time that Kejriwal has faced accusations of extravagance. In 2018, he was criticized for using public funds to install CCTV cameras in his residence. The opposition parties had alleged that this was a misuse of public money.
The Congress party has been in opposition in Delhi since 2013, when Kejriwal’s AAP first came to power. The upcoming assembly elections are expected to be a closely contested battle between the two parties.
In recent months, Kejriwal has been busy launching various schemes and initiatives, including the ‘Deshbhakti Curriculum’ for school children, the ‘Mukhya Mantri Street Vendors’ Loan Scheme’, and the ‘Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy’. These initiatives have been widely praised by his supporters and have helped improve his popularity ratings.
However, the Congress party has been quick to criticize Kejriwal’s actions, calling them populist measures aimed at winning votes. They have also accused him of not doing enough to improve the living conditions of Delhi’s residents, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The allegations of extravagance against Kejriwal are likely to dent his image as a champion of the common man. It remains to be seen how he responds to these accusations and whether they will impact his party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
