By :- Shruti Tiwari Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing after a ₹60 lakh renovation tender was issued by the Public Works Department (PWD) for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s official bungalow. What was supposed to be a standard renovation has turned into a major political controversy, with the opposition accusing the BJP of hypocrisy and misuse of public funds.
The Heart of the Controversy
The renovation in question pertains to Bungalow No. 1, located in central Delhi, which was previously used as an office for the Lieutenant Governor. This structure was partitioned into cabins and cubicles for bureaucratic work. Following her appointment as Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta chose this property as her official residence and approved a comprehensive interior renovation to convert the space into a livable home.
However, it is not the renovation itself that sparked outrage—it’s the lavish list of fittings and appliances that has drawn criticism.
Breakdown of the Luxuries in the Renovation Tender
According to the official tender documents and media reports, the renovation includes high-end interior work, modern appliances, and luxury fittings:
Air Conditioners: 14 units (2-ton each), costing ₹7.7 lakh
Smart Televisions: 5 units, costing ₹9.3 lakh
Decorative Lighting: 115 fixtures including hanging lights and chandeliers worth ₹6.03 lakh
The bungalow is a Type-7 government house, consisting of four bedrooms, a drawing room, business hall, visitor lounge, servant quarters, multiple bathrooms, a kitchen, a backyard, and a spacious lawn.
Opposition’s Criticism: ‘Maya Mahal’ Amid Public Suffering
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress have pounced on the opportunity to question BJP’s priorities. In a post on X, AAP slammed the extravagance, stating:
“CM Rekha Gupta’s Maya Mahal will cost crores, while Delhiites are suffering from water shortages, power cuts, rising school fees, and unemployment. As the people struggle, the BJP CM is installing luxury TVs, chandeliers, and high-end kitchen appliances using taxpayers’ money.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also launched a sharp attack, writing:
“From calling out ‘Sheesh Mahal’ to now building a ‘Rang Mahal’ for themselves. Delhi’s CM is combining two bungalows and furnishing them with 24 ACs, 5 large TVs, designer lights, expensive fans, geysers, and modern kitchen gear—all at public expense.”
Comparisons With Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’
Ironically, the BJP had previously built a campaign around criticizing former CM Arvind Kejriwal for alleged overspending on the renovation of his official residence on Flagstaff Road.
According to a CAG report and RTI responses made public by BJP:
Initial budget in 2020: ₹7.91 crore
Actual expenditure by 2022: ₹33.66 crore
Curtains: ₹95 lakh
Art & decoration: ₹5.07 crore
Gym equipment: ₹18.52 lakh
Modular kitchen: ₹68.75 lakh
Mini bar, designer lighting, silk carpets, Italian marble, and other high-end items significantly inflated the renovation bill.
BJP leaders claimed Kejriwal spent nearly ₹3.69 crore annually between 2015 and 2022 on his official residence.
Public Perception & Political Irony
Though Rekha Gupta’s bungalow renovation costs are significantly lower than Kejriwal’s, the public sentiment and political optics are not in her favor. Critics argue that amid a slowing economy, urban hardships, and administrative challenges, such a project—regardless of scale—comes across as tone-deaf and elitist.
Moreover, the timing of the tender—just months after the BJP’s rise to power in Delhi—has allowed the opposition to highlight hypocrisy and misplaced priorities, comparing it to the very criticisms BJP used against the previous AAP government.
CM Rekha Gupta Yet to Respond
As of now, CM Rekha Gupta has not issued an official statement defending the renovation. She continues to reside at her private home in Shalimar Bagh while the bungalow renovation progresses.
Conclusion
What began as a routine government renovation has now evolved into a high-voltage political controversy. While the BJP may claim the expenses are necessary for transforming an old bureaucratic office into a livable residence, opposition leaders argue it exposes a double standard—and worse, a disconnect from the real problems facing Delhi’s citizens.
