21 November, 2024; In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi BJP leaders, including the party’s state president, along with several party workers, were detained by the police on Tuesday. The leaders were staging a protest near the residence of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, over the ongoing ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy.
The controversy pertains to allegations against the Delhi government regarding alleged misuse of public funds for extravagant renovations at the Chief Minister’s official residence. The BJP has been vocal about the issue, accusing the AAP-led government of splurging taxpayers’ money on luxurious upgrades. The term ‘Sheesh Mahal’—meaning ‘palace of mirrors’—has been sarcastically used by BJP leaders to describe the CM’s residence, alleging opulence and lack of accountability.
The protest saw large-scale participation from BJP workers, who demanded transparency and accountability from the AAP government. The protestors raised slogans against Kejriwal, accusing him of betraying the public trust and compromising the AAP’s proclaimed image of austerity and clean governance.
The Delhi Police, citing law and order concerns, detained several protestors, including senior BJP leaders. In a statement, a police spokesperson said the detentions were necessary to prevent escalation and maintain peace in the area.
Reacting to the detentions, Delhi BJP President criticized the police’s actions, alleging that the ruling AAP was using law enforcement to suppress dissent. “We will continue to fight for the truth and expose the misdeeds of the Kejriwal government,” he asserted.
The AAP, on the other hand, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Party leaders have accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from pressing issues such as inflation and unemployment.
The ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy has become a significant flashpoint between the BJP and AAP, intensifying the political rivalry in the capital. With both parties steadfast in their positions, the issue is likely to continue dominating Delhi’s political discourse in the coming days.
