NEW DELHI, (IANS): Adding spice to the Delhi Assembly election campaign, BJP candidate
from the New Delhi Assembly seat Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma has written to Chief
Minister Atishi, demanding that 'Sheesh Mahal' - the controversial official
residence of ex-CM Arvind Kejriwal - be thrown open for public darshan and
promoting transparency.
His letter virtually coincided with a similar suggestion
made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during a public rally, calling
for giving the public access to ‘Sheesh Mahal’ which, he said, was an example
of AAP’s monumental corruption.
“Sheesh Mahal is the biggest example of their (AAP
leaders) dishonesty,” PM Modi said.
Earlier, seeking permission for public visit to ‘Sheeh
Mahal’ between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Verma wrote to the CM, saying, "I want
to bring it to your notice that during the tenure of former Chief Minister and
Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, the official residence was
specially furnished and given a grand look. It has become popular as 'Sheesh
Mahal' among the common people."
The people of New Delhi Assembly constituency, who
elected Kejriwal as their MLA for three successive terms, have a desire to see
this building, he said.
"This building has become an important symbol of the
history of governance and administration of Delhi. The public wants to know as
to how the place, where their elected representative spent his term, looks
like."
Verma, who is fighting the upcoming Assembly election
against Kejriwal, wrote in his letter that the decision to allow the public to
see the renovated CM residence will enhance transparency.
"This will not only meet the expectations of the
public but also strengthen transparency and trust between the government and
the public. I have full faith that you will consider this proposal positively
and take a decision soon," he wrote.
‘Sheesh Mahal’ has remained in the news ever since the
BJP decided to make the alleged corruption in the AAP government an election
issue.
Earlier, PM Modi, during his speech, pointed to a news
report that gives details of the wasteful expenditure on ‘Sheesh Mahal’,
inviting CAG’s attention.
The CAG, according to the report, pointed to a three-fold
increase in the estimated cost of the project for renovation of Kejriwal’s
official residence at 6, Flag Staff Road, in north Delhi. From an estimated
cost of Rs 8.6 crore in 2020, the Public Works Department ended up spending Rs
33 crore in 2022.
The CAG report for financial year ending March 2022 also
highlighted that the built-up area of the structure was increased by almost 36
per cent to 1,905 square metre.
The wasteful expenditure listed by the CAG includes Rs 66
lakh for wall marble, Rs 39 lakh spent on kitchen equipment, Rs 20 lakh spent
on TV console, Rs 16 lakh spent on silk carpet, Rs 18 lakh on treadmill and gym
equipment, Rs 14 lakh for floor tiles.
