The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday put up posters against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over residence renovation row ahead of Aam Aadmi Party’s ‘maha rally’ against Centre’s services ordinance. Through the poster, the saffron party alleged AAP-led Delhi government of misusing Rs 45 crore tax money for renovation of Kejriwal’s residence. Kejriwal has been alleged of spending over crores of rupees on renovating his official residence.
The BJP has been criticising Kejriwal and the AAP, claiming that Rs 45 crore was spent on renovating the chief minister's residence at 6, Flagstaff Road during 2020-22. The AAP has responded, claiming that the BJP is using this issue to divert attention away from more pressing issues.
Amidst the controversy, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had ordered officials to secure expenditure records and requested a report on the matter in April.
As parties traded barbs, the Centre passed an ordinance last month which gave the Delhi LG the power of transfer postings, a week after the Supreme Court had passed a judgment in favour of the Kejriwal dispensation.
On May 19, the Centre brought an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority that will have the power to recommend the transfer and posting of all Group A officers and officers from Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) serving in Delhi.
To oppose the ordinance in Rajya Sabha, Kejriwal met with prominent opposition leaders including Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Akhilesh Yadav and secured their support.
Security has been beefed up around Delhi's Ramlila Maidan where the AAP will be holding the 'maha rally'