Wed Jan 08 11:32:09 UTC 2025: ## AAP Leaders Clash with Police, Accuse BJP of Spreading Lies Over Kejriwal’s Residence

**New Delhi** – A dramatic confrontation unfolded today outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders attempted to debunk BJP allegations of lavish spending on renovations. The BJP has accused Kejriwal of using public funds to transform the official bungalow into a luxurious “Sheesh Mahal” (Palace of Mirrors), a claim AAP vehemently denies.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, accompanied by media, were prevented by police from entering the Civil Lines bungalow. Singh argued that blocking them constituted a breach of parliamentary privilege, while Bharadwaj questioned the authority behind the police action. Singh publicly challenged the BJP to prove their claims, stating that the accusations of a “golden toilet, swimming pool, and minibar” were false. He highlighted the heavy police presence, including water cannons, as evidence of the BJP’s lies.

Following the blockade at the Chief Minister’s residence, the AAP leaders attempted to visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, but were similarly prevented from entry.

The BJP’s accusations stem from a recent CAG report that revealed a four-fold increase in the renovation cost of the Chief Minister’s residence compared to the initial budget. Prime Minister Modi himself has criticized Kejriwal, stating the renovation was a priority during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The AAP countered that the BJP’s focus on the Chief Minister’s residence is a distraction from their own extravagant spending, citing the PM’s own residence, valued at ₹2700 crore. They framed the BJP’s actions as a smear campaign aimed at influencing the upcoming Delhi elections.

The BJP, however, has dismissed the AAP’s actions as a “melodrama” and a desperate attempt to deflect criticism. They maintain that Kejriwal’s actions contradict his earlier promises of simple living and highlight a disconnect between his public image and his spending habits. The political sparring continues as the Delhi elections approach.

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