Senior BJP leader Parvesh Verma on Saturday launched a fresh attack on AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being linked to a luxurious property in Delhi’s Lodhi Estate area. The allegation has once again revived the political controversy surrounding what the BJP calls the “Sheesh Mahal” issue.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Verma claimed that documents related to the layout and interior design of a residence at 95 Lodhi Estate indicate a lavish development connected to Kejriwal. According to him, the plans describe a modern and upscale design concept that includes a large foyer, spacious living areas, bedrooms, a lounge, and a dedicated meeting room along with customised furniture and décor elements.
Verma questioned how such an elaborate property aligns with Kejriwal’s long-projected political image of being an “aam aadmi” leader. He alleged that the public image of simplicity presented by the AAP leadership does not match the lifestyle reflected in the property’s design.
The BJP leader said that Kejriwal did not want an ordinary house but something far more extravagant. By raising the issue again, the BJP attempted to link the property to its earlier accusations regarding heavy spending on the renovation of the Chief Minister’s official residence, which the party has repeatedly labelled as a “Sheesh Mahal”.
Verma also tried to connect the controversy with governance issues, claiming that during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delhi government should have focused more on public welfare rather than alleged luxury projects. In a sharp remark, he invoked the names of freedom fighters Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, suggesting that leaders known for their simple lives would be disappointed by such developments in modern politics.
During the briefing, Verma posed several questions about the alleged property. He asked what the total expenditure on the Lodhi Estate residence was, who funded the development, whether such spending was contributing to internal dissatisfaction within the Aam Aadmi Party, and whether there was any connection between the property and funds linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy case.
The accusations quickly triggered a response from the Aam Aadmi Party. Delhi minister Atishi Marlena rejected the allegations outright and said the claims were baseless. Posting on social media platform X, she stated that the images and documents circulated by Verma were not related to Kejriwal’s house.
Atishi said the photographs released by the BJP were fake and insisted they did not depict the residence of Kejriwal. She also countered the BJP’s criticism by challenging other leaders to open their own homes to public scrutiny if transparency was truly the issue.
According to her, if there are questions about luxury lifestyles, then other political leaders should also allow people to see their residences. She added that if everyone’s houses were opened to public view, citizens would be able to decide the truth themselves.
The latest exchange has once again intensified the political rivalry between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. With elections and political positioning always shaping the capital’s politics, controversies like the “Sheesh Mahal” debate continue to dominate headlines and fuel sharp exchanges between rival parties.