AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has been allotted a new government bungalow at 95, Lodhi Estate, acknowledging his position as the national convenor of a recognised political party after AAP secured national party status following a decade of governance in Delhi.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has been assigned a new government bungalow at 95, Lodhi Estate, reflecting his status as the head of a national political party.
This allotment was made in his role as the national convenor of AAP, which has been granted national party status. AAP’s decade-long governance in Delhi, primarily under Kejriwal’s leadership, came to an end earlier this year when the BJP took over the administration in the Union Territory.
However, AAP continues to lead in Punjab with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Earlier, The Delhi High Court criticized the Centre for its delay in granting a residence to Kejriwal, labeling the approach as a “free system for all.”
The court remarked that the Centre cannot arbitrarily determine who is eligible for government housing in the national capital.
Additionally, the Delhi government plans to transform the bungalow often derisively referred to as “Sheesh Mahal” by Kejriwal’s critics into a state guest house with a cafeteria, according to senior officials .
The residence underwent renovations during Kejriwal’s time as chief minister and has been at the center of corruption allegations.
During his time as Chief Minister of Delhi, Kejriwal resided at 6, Flag Staff Road in Civil Lines. He vacated this bungalow after resigning on September 17 of last year. Lacking a permanent government residence in the city, the AAP leader temporarily relocated to 5, Ferozeshah Road, situated in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone (LBZ).
This property was allocated to AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Ashok Mittal.
In 2022, the vigilance department of the Delhi government commenced an inquiry, following directives from Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, into claims of “irregularities and cost escalation” associated with the renovation work by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Presently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is examining the case based on a complaint filed by the former Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, which was submitted to Saxena in December 2024.