‘AAP Made Sheeshmahal, We Will…’: CM Rekha Gupta's Swipe As Atishi Questions Delhi Budget ‘Without Survey’
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta took sharp jabs at her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, and the opposition AAP citing the ‘Sheeshmahal’ controversy while Atishi question lack of economic survey.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented the ₹1 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2025-26, outlining ten key focus areas, including Yamuna cleaning, economic empowerment of women, infrastructure, water, and connectivity. She asserted that the budget was a roadmap to make the national capital self-reliant.
Gupta, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, took sharp jabs at her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), citing the ‘Sheeshmahal’ controversy. The term refers to allegations that Kejriwal misused ₹45 crore of taxpayers’ money to refurbish his official residence. The issue was a significant factor in the BJP’s victory in last month’s Assembly election.
Taking aim at Kejriwal’s promises, Gupta said, “There is a lot of difference between us… you made promises, we will fulfill them. You abused other states’ governments, PM, and LG; we will work in harmony with them. You spent your intellect on conspiracies, we will use it to solve Delhi's problems. You made the ‘Sheeshmahal’, we will build houses for the poor. You installed (gold) toilets worth lakhs, we will make toilets for the poor.”
हममें और AAP में बहुत अंतर है। AAP ने वादे किए, हम उन्हें पूरा करेंगे। AAP ने अन्य राज्यों की सरकारों और केंद्र सरकार को गाली दी, हम मिलकर काम करेंगे। AAP ने 'शीश महल' बनवाया, हम गरीबों के लिए घर बनाएंगे। AAP ने लाखों रुपये के पॉट टॉयलेट लगाए, हम झुग्गी के लोगों के लिए टॉयलेट… pic.twitter.com/SQ9aHH1u6s
— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) March 25, 2025
“You spent the tax money collected from Delhi on advertising all over the country, spent on contesting elections in another state. He (Arvind Kejriwal) is the first chief minister who used to jump here and there to become the prime minister. We are going to spend that money to build hospitals, schools, and roads for Delhi. You have mistreated the administration, but we believe in working in harmony with the authorities. You know haath ki safai (trickeries), and we will have to clean the garbage, we will have to remove the mountains of garbage. You are only used to talking, but we will develop Delhi,” she remarked.
CM Gupta also announced plans to position Delhi as a ‘tourism hub,’ allocating ₹177 crore for the initiative. Notably, she included Kejriwal’s former residence, saying, “We will include ‘Sheeshmahal’ on the circuit. We will sell tickets and show people…”
She further accused the previous AAP government of inaction, alleging that government revenue had been diverted into the “pockets” of the liquor mafia and PWD contractors.
Kejriwal, who lost his New Delhi seat in the recent polls, was not present in the Assembly to respond. The AAP, which had secured over 60 seats in 2015 and 2020, was reduced to just 22 in the February election. The BJP’s Parvesh Verma, who defeated Kejriwal, had earlier stated that he would personally conduct tours of the former Chief Minister’s residence at 6, Flagstaff Road.
‘Delhi Budget Made Without Economic Survey’: AAP’s Atishi
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Atishi criticised the Budget, questioning the absence of an economic survey. “Is it a good thing that they are saying they are forming a Budget without reviewing Delhi’s financial condition? I think this means that the Delhi government itself is admitting that they have not done any analysis to make this Budget,” she told reporters.
Expressing surprise, she added, “It is surprising how the Budget was made without an economic survey. To date, we have not seen any government make a budget without an economic survey.”
Delhi Govt Budget Allocates ₹5,100 crore for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana
CM Rekha Gupta, however, called the Budget “historic,” stating that it marked the transformation from a struggling economy to a “Viksit Delhi.” She highlighted a 31.5 per cent increase from the previous year’s allocation.
Key allocations include ₹5,100 crore for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, ₹28,000 crore for capital expenditure, and ₹1,000 crore for better infrastructure and connectivity with the National Capital Region.
On healthcare, Gupta announced that Delhiites would soon benefit from the Ayushman Yojana and Ayushman Arogya Mandir. “Along with the ₹5 lakh from the Centre, the Delhi government will give a top-up of ₹5 lakh to the people under Ayushman. ₹2,144 crore is being allocated for this,” she said.
Additionally, ₹3,843 crore has been set aside for road and bridge infrastructure, and over 50,000 CCTV cameras will be installed for women’s safety. The government has also allocated ₹696 crore to improve basic facilities in slums and JJ colonies.
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