Kailash Gahlot, BJP protest outside Arvind Kejriwal’s home over Rs 45 crore renovation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by its Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva and former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, staged a protest outside Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on Thursday, alleging misuse of public funds for the renovation of the Chief Minister’s official bungalow. The party claimed that Rs 45 crore was spent on the renovation, dubbing it “Sheesh Mahal” (Palace of Mirrors).

Hundreds of BJP supporters gathered outside the property in the Civil Lines area, chanting slogans against Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The protest, which comes months ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, intensified the political atmosphere in the capital. Visuals from the protest showed agitators climbing barricades set up by the police.

Kailash Gahlot, who recently left AAP to join the BJP, criticized his former party, accusing it of straying from its original values of serving the "aam aadmi" (common man). Gahlot told ANI, “The controversy over Sheesh Mahal is a symbol of compromise with AAP’s core principles. Arvind Kejriwal must answer how public money was spent on such an extravagant renovation.”

The Delhi Police detained Sachdeva and several party workers, but the BJP vowed to continue pressing the issue in the public domain and Assembly sessions.

Speaking on the state of governance in Delhi, Gahlot expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the capital. “Delhi is suffering under AAP’s misgovernance—overflowing sewers, lack of drinking water, and deteriorating roads. I believe the people of Delhi will vote for change in the upcoming elections,” Gahlot said.

The controversy over the renovation is not new. AAP has repeatedly denied allegations of misuse of funds, claiming that the costs covered structural and safety upgrades. However, the BJP continues to use the issue as a rallying point to target Kejriwal ahead of the elections.