When parties promise freebies in their manifestos, they should mandatorily explain how they plan to finance them. The AAP has appropriated this business of offering freebies as a ‘patented’ solution to win elections.
- April 26, 2023
- 11 Mins Read
AAP Ke Khaas
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), recently came under scrutiny for spending ₹45 crore on renovating his residence. This extravagant expenditure has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from various quarters, as it is seen as a gross misuse of public funds.
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“He who relentlessly served the nation, He who relentlessly worked for the people, He who stood firm against the Brits, He who fought for liberating Maa Bharati, Today was stoned to death by his own brothers for whom he fought.”
— Swatantyaveer Savarkar on the death of his brother, Dr. Narayanrao Savarkar, after the later was lynched in the anti-Brahmin riots by butchers supporting Congress ideology.
The extravagant ‘Dior Pearl Marble’ was imported from Vietnam at a cost of Rs 3 crore. Not only this, Rs 21.6 lakh was spent on the chemical used to fix the marble. The marble is said to cost Rs 6000 per sq. ft.
In various speeches and interviews, Arvind Kejriwal has often emphasized his commitment to simplicity and stated that he would not indulge in extravagant spending or misuse of public funds, and would work towards the development and welfare of the people. But Arvind Kejriwal who, pompously set out to be ‘Caesar’s Wife’ who would live in a simple small house has ended up becoming Caligula, building a Palace of Pleasure for himself.
It turns out that Arvind Kejriwal’s abode in Delhi has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation — complete with imported fixtures, extravagant interiors, and unnecessary modifications. A news report termed “Operation SheeshMahal” claims a whooping ₹44.78 crore of taxpayers’ money was spent on the ‘beautification’ of Arvind Kejriwal’s current home. The amount was spent in six trenches between 9 September 2020 to June 2022 — during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, when Delhiites were gasping for oxygen, running pillar to post for a hospital bed, and were desperate for ventilators to save their lives. It was a time when Delhi government’s revenue had come down so significantly that, Arvind Kejriwal had stopped development projects citing severe lack of funds. In that critical phase, Kejriwal splashing about ₹45 crore on his house renovation is a big proof of his insensitivity and lack of morality. Ironically, the man who came hanging in an auto-rickshaw for taking oath, has preferred his personal luxury over the needs of the real aam aadmi. This wasteful expenditure highlights AAP’s skewed sense of priorities, where public funds are being diverted towards personal luxuries instead of addressing pressing issues that impact the lives of ordinary citizens.
The reports states that ₹11.30 crore were spent on interior decoration; ₹6.02 crore on stone and marble flooring; ₹1 crore on interior consultancy; ₹2.58 crore on electrical fittings and appliances; ₹2.85 crore on fire-fighting system; ₹1.41 crore on wardrobe and accessories fitting; ₹1.1 crore on kitchen appliances, and ₹8.11 crore was spent on a camp office. Documents showed that 23 curtains were bought at a cost of ₹97 lakhs — ₹5-8 lakh per piece; ₹40 lakh was spent on 6 almirahs — ₹6.5 lakh per piece and 6 carpets were bought for ₹19.89 lakh — ₹3.3 lakh per piece.
In his autobiography “Swaraj,” published in 2012, Kejriwal wrote: “For me, the decision to join politics was a step to work towards changing the system, not for personal gain or luxury. I believe in leading a simple life and being honest to the cause of public service.”
During a public event in 2013, Kejriwal said: “As a public servant, my focus is on serving the people and not on personal gains. I believe in leading a simple life, and I urge my fellow politicians and party members to do the same. We must set an example of modesty and humility in our actions.”
In an interview with a news channel in 2013, Kejriwal said: “I believe in simple living and high thinking. I have never been attached to material possessions. I want to live a simple and honest life, and I encourage everyone to do the same.”
In an interview with a news channel in 2015, Kejriwal stated: “I believe that a politician should lead by example. I do not take any special privileges or facilities that come with my position. I travel in my own car or by public transport, and I have declined the government bungalow and other perks that are offered to me as a Chief Minister.”
During his speech after taking oath as Chief Minister of Delhi for the second time in February 2020, Kejriwal stated: “I want to assure the people of Delhi that I will live and work with simplicity. I will not take any bungalow, car, or any other facility. I will work for the people and their welfare with complete dedication.”
"I believe in simple living and high thinking. I have never been attached to material possessions. I want to live a simple and honest life, and I encourage everyone to do the same."
The irony of the situation is hard to ignore. The politician who once denounced the opulent lifestyles of his peers is now being accused of hypocrisy and betrayal for squandering taxpayers’ money for personal luxuries. The AAP has been vocal about its commitment to transparency in governance and has often accused other political parties of corruption and misuse of public funds. Arvind Kejriwal who himself rose to prominence as an anti-corruption crusader and a champion of transparency in governance, has often portrayed himself as a common man’s leader, committed to fighting corruption and wasteful expenditure. However, his decision to spend such a substantial amount on renovating his residence raises questions about his commitment to these principles. It is contradictory to his party’s claims of being frugal and transparent.
When AAP came to power, a vocal Arvind Kejriwal promised from the ramparts of the Ramlila Maidan that the party would make Delhi a role model of good governance and development. Kejriwal made waves with his promises of transparency, accountability, fighting corruption, and adopting a humble lifestyle. He portrayed himself as the “common man’s leader” — someone who would bring change and prioritize the needs of the people. He portrayed himself as the last leader of the shirtless and other abandoned classes. However, recent reports have revealed a stark contrast between his words and actions. Arvind Kejriwal seems to be playing a different game now. This ostentatious squandering of public funds is the most visible display of Kejriwal’s “development work”. It has left citizens wondering as to how a leader who claimed to represent their interests could indulge in such extravagant spending. AAP supporters are struggling to make sense of the glaring contrast between Arvind Kejriwal’s earlier words and today’s actions. Citizens who had once placed their trust in him are feeling betrayed and let down. They are questioning the integrity and credibility of their once-beloved leader. How could a champion of simplicity and accountability succumb to the allure of luxurious renovations, all at the taxpayers’ expense? They are wondering how a leader who promised to prioritize their needs could prioritize his own personal luxuries instead.
Arvind Kejriwal has long presented himself as a champion of good governance and humble living. However, the recent reports of his spending Rs 45 crore on extravagant renovations to his official residence during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic suggest a disconnect between his public image and his private actions. Given the struggles faced by many Delhi residents in accessing basic healthcare services and medical supplies during this difficult time, the decision to allocate such a significant amount of public funds towards a personal residence seems misguided at best. The AAP government should provide a clear explanation for this expense, as the attempt to rationalize such lavishness appears arrogant and out of touch with the needs of the people.
It’s a wake-up call for citizens!
Citizens have the right to question the actions of their elected representatives and hold them accountable for their deeds. However, whenever asked to address the charges of wrongdoing, the Aam Aadmi Party boss’ standard reply is: “Modi is scared of me, they want to stop us…” This platitudinous bunkum Kejriwal spews with such faux solemnity only shows his self-love and fancy for melodrama. Attributing resentment to slander is a convenient option, but a helpless one at that, especially for a leader who had famously called for greater transparency and a crusade against wrongdoers.
Yet it’s a bit astonishing to think how far the AAP has fallen. All its earlier promises have quietly faded away. Some of those who left AAP, even after its stunning victories, accused Kejriwal of fostering corruption and of a lack of transparency in decision-making, ignoring collective decision-making, and so on. Former Central Information Commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi wrote to Kejriwal, asserting that the Delhi government did not adhere to RTI or show transparency, and that Kejriwal himself did nothing to curb corruption. From an ‘aam aadmi’ party, the AAP has become a party of one man with supreme power plus a team of sycophants.
With one skeleton after another tumbling out of its closet in quick succession, the AAP has vacated the space it once owned as a moral alternative. What once looked like a party with a bright future is today marred by new allegations every day. AAP’s heady win ensured that the Delhi public forgave many transgressions by the Chief Minister in the prolonged honeymoon period. Kejriwal, however, appears to have taken this as carte blanche, while dangling big-time freebies to keep voters distracted. AAP, with its lack of a coherent political or ideological framework, has become a party which is at the forefront of making promises solely based on distributing freebies to win elections. It cuts an especially sorry figure for Indian politics. People waited for Swaraj, but instead realized that nepotism and corruption were increasing day by day in the political system under Arvind Kejriwal. India is belatedly learning the lesson that Arvind Kejriwal is just another one of the more-crafty practitioners of the old-style power politics of the Congress.
The tale of Kejriwal’s lavish house renovations serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant against politicians who keep telling us, in such righteous earnestness of the ruler-savant, how to be good citizens, while they themselves engage in hypocritical behavior, indulging in opulent or extravagant personal pursuits. It has shed light on the unfulfilled promises of a politician who once claimed to be the epitome of simplicity and accountability. It’s a stark reminder that actions speak louder than words, and as citizens, we must hold our leaders to their promises and demand transparency and accountability in the governance. After all, we, the people, have the power to shape the destiny of our nation.
Arvind Kejriwal can be seen making promises to the people, only to break them later. He had claimed to be a people’s leader and vowed to behave in a way that would benefit the people, but now appears to be doing the opposite. Kejriwal has also been seen giving advice and guidance to even the President of India, but now he himself seems to be behaving in a manner that is contrary to his own advice. These videos raise questions about Kejriwal’s credibility as a leader and his ability to keep his promises to the people.
Tags: Aam Aadmi Party
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