AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh were blocked by police from entering the official residence of Delhi’s chief minister on Tuesday, after inviting the media to tour the property. The leaders had aimed to counter the BJP’s “Sheesh Mahal” allegations, claiming the residence was lavishly renovated during Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure.
Police set up barricades and stationed personnel outside the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow, preventing Bharadwaj and Singh from entering. The BJP has accused the Delhi government of turning the residence into a luxury palace, with claims of extravagant fittings such as a “golden commode,” swimming pool, and mini bar.
When asked whether they had received permission for the visit, Bharadwaj and Singh questioned why they needed authorisation to enter the chief minister’s residence, with Bharadwaj seen confronting officials about the blockade.
“I am a minister here for an inspection,” he said, asking whether the lieutenant governor had ordered the stoppage.
Earlier in the day, Bharadwaj had promised to search for the lavish items the BJP had accused the residence of having. He also pointed out that the properties were built using taxpayer money during the pandemic and should be investigated if any financial mismanagement had occurred.
Singh and Bharadwaj also challenged the BJP to open the prime minister’s residence for media scrutiny, calling it the “Raj Mahal” in response to accusations against Kejriwal’s home.
The controversy surrounding the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow has become a focal point for the BJP, especially during Delhi’s assembly election campaign. BJP Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva had claimed valuable items, including the golden commode, were missing after Kejriwal vacated the property.