PM Modi cites The Indian Express report, slams AAP over money spent on ‘Sheesh Mahal’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday cited a report by The Indian Express as he accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of only focussing on ‘Sheesh Mahal’ — the BJP’s name for Arvind Kejriwal’s office and residence during his tenure as Delhi chief minister, and something it projects as a symbol of the AAP’s corruption.
Speaking at the BJP’s ‘parivartan’ rally at Japanese Park in Delhi’s Rohini, PM Modi said, “Today, a big newspaper has written about the expenditure on ‘Sheesh Mahal’ based on a CAG report.” He said when people across the country were fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the AAP aimed to make ‘Sheesh Mahal’.
The Indian Express article, based on a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report, showed that starting from preliminary estimates of Rs 7.91 crore, work of the premises of 6, Flag Staff Road was awarded at Rs 8.62 crore in 2020 and when it was completed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2022, the total cost stood at Rs 33.66 crore.
“You will be pained to know that when people were fighting Covid, running around to get medicines and oxygen, their (AAP’s) entire focus was on making Sheesh Mahal. They prepared a hefty budget for Sheesh Mahal. The newspaper has shown how three times that budget was spent on Sheesh Mahal,” Modi stated.
“Those who brought AAPda (disaster) to Delhi allege that the Centre does not let them work, and the Centre doesn’t give them money. Their Sheesh Mahal proves their lies… This is their reality. They don’t care about the people of Delhi or its development. This is why people are saying, ‘AAPda nahi sahenge, badal ke rahenge (we won’t tolerate disaster, we will bring change)’,” said Modi.
Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Modi sharpened his attacks, stating that all ongoing welfare schemes, such as free electricity, water, and transportation for women, would continue in Delhi even after the BJP comes to power and forms a government.
“Ye log apni haar samne dekh kar bhukla lagaye hain (These people are so scared as they are seeing their defeat in the upcoming polls) That is why they are lying that all the ongoing welfare schemes will be stopped if the BJP comes to power… But I promise and assure you all that all the ongoing welfare schemes will continue in Delhi. Par baimanon ka jo theka hai usse hataya jayega (But we will remove the dishonest people’s contract)… We will remove these AAPda people, bring honest leaders, and take forward all the welfare schemes,” said PM Modi.