A dramatic confrontation unfolded in New Delhi on Wednesday as AAP leaders clashed with police outside the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow, previously occupied by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The incident occurred when AAP leaders attempted to enter the premises to counter BJP’s claims about extravagant fittings but were blocked by police.
Later, AAP leaders and workers shifted their focus to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, intending to expose alleged exorbitant renovations. However, they were again stopped by authorities and staged a “dharna” near the Tughlak Road Police Station, accusing the BJP-led central government of avoiding scrutiny.
Simultaneously, the BJP organized a media visit to the AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow, which is now allotted to Chief Minister Atishi. BJP leaders argued that Atishi already had an official residence and questioned her demand for a separate bungalow, alleging hypocrisy.
AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj had invited the media to inspect the Flagstaff Road bungalow, calling it an effort to debunk the BJP’s “Sheesh Mahal” allegations, which include claims of a gold-plated commode, a mini-bar, and a swimming pool. However, barricades and a heavy police presence thwarted their plans.
Addressing the media at the protest site, Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP, saying, “The BJP’s lies have been exposed today. They claimed there were luxury installations in the former CM’s residence, but they are now preventing us from showing the truth.” Singh added that the BJP was also blocking their attempt to highlight the alleged misuse of taxpayer money in the Prime Minister’s residence, reportedly renovated at a cost of ₹2,700 crore.
When asked if permission had been sought to enter the premises, Singh responded, “Why should we need permission to inspect the chief minister’s official residence?” Bharadwaj was seen confronting officials, questioning their authority to stop him. “I am a minister conducting an inspection. Who instructed you to block us? Is this on the lieutenant governor’s orders?” he demanded.
Earlier in the day, Bharadwaj reiterated AAP’s intention to expose the BJP’s claims. “We promised to inspect the Flagstaff Road bungalow at 11 am to verify their allegations about golden commodes and other extravagances. If these allegations are true, they should be investigated along with the Prime Minister’s residence, which was also built with taxpayer money,” he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed AAP’s actions as political theatrics. He led reporters to the Mathura Road bungalow, accusing AAP of deliberately staging a drama despite the ongoing model code of conduct for the Assembly elections. “If they were serious, why didn’t they inspect the so-called Sheesh Mahal earlier?” Sachdeva asked.
The controversy over the Flagstaff Road bungalow began after Kejriwal vacated it in October. The BJP has centered its election campaign on allegations of extravagant spending on the property, claiming valuable items like a golden commode went missing after Kejriwal moved out.
The AAP countered by dubbing the Prime Minister’s residence a “Raj Mahal” and challenged the BJP to open it for a media inspection. This clash marks an escalation in the ongoing war of words between the two parties, with each accusing the other of misusing public funds for personal luxury.
