On Wednesday, December 8, 2025, the national capital witnessed a heated political showdown over official residences, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) traded accusations. Senior AAP leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with other party members, attempted to protest near the Prime Minister’s residence but were stopped by the police. Similarly, their attempt to organize a media tour of the Chief Minister’s residence was also thwarted.
Bharadwaj challenged the BJP to open the Prime Minister’s residence for public viewing, following allegations of luxurious features at the Delhi Chief Minister’s bungalow, including gold commodes and swimming pools. Meanwhile, BJP leaders gathered outside Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s residence, questioning her claim that the Centre had “snatched” her official residence.
The BJP has accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of spending over ₹40 crore to renovate the CM’s official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road, sarcastically referring to it as ‘Sheeshmahal.’ In response, AAP hit back with a ‘Raj Mahal’ jibe, criticizing the Prime Minister for allegedly residing in a lavish residence built at a cost of ₹2,700 crore.
Speaking to reporters, Bharadwaj said, “We came here to settle the argument of ‘your house versus our house.’ We proposed that both the PM’s residence and the CM’s residence be shown to the public. Hence, we are here.”
After being denied entry, Bharadwaj and Singh sat on a protest (‘dharna’) outside the CM’s residence, engaging in heated exchanges with police personnel deployed at the site.
Earlier, during a stand-off with the police outside the CM’s residence, Bharadwaj accused the BJP of evading scrutiny over their claims. He suggested the public should also see the Prime Minister’s residence for comparison. “The BJP alleges the CM’s residence was built for ₹33 crore. The PM’s residence, on the other hand, is being constructed for ₹2,700 crore. Let the public see both and decide,” Bharadwaj remarked.
He also criticized the BJP for allegedly using the issue for political gains. “The BJP has been circulating photos and videos of the CM’s residence. Today, we came here with the media to verify their claims, but the BJP is avoiding transparency. Barricades, water cannons, and heavy police deployment have turned this area into a border,” he said, challenging the BJP to substantiate their allegations.
Labeling the CM’s bungalow as “Sheesh Mahal,” the BJP had claimed it featured a swimming pool and golden commodes. In response, Bharadwaj said, “If BJP wants to focus on residences rather than issues like water and electricity, let the public see the PM’s residence as well. The BJP is trembling because we agreed to show the CM’s residence.”
Similarly, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also accused the BJP of spreading false allegations about luxury amenities at the CM’s residence, including a “golden toilet,” swimming pool, and mini-bar. Singh criticized the BJP for failing to provide evidence to support their claims. “The BJP continues to make baseless allegations, but they did not allow us to inspect the property. Where are the ‘golden toilet,’ swimming pool, and mini-bar they speak of?” Singh said.
Singh further mentioned that the AAP delegation, which had gone to inspect the alleged luxurious features, was stopped outside the residence. Referring to the PM’s official residence as “Raj Mahal,” he added, “They didn’t allow us entry and stopped us outside. We are heading back now.”
On the other hand, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva visited AAP leader Atishi’s residence at AB-17 Mathura Road and questioned why she insisted on occupying the 6 Flagstaff Road property instead of her officially allotted residence.
“This bungalow is allotted to Atishi Marlena, the Chief Minister of Delhi. I want to ask, when this bungalow has been allotted to you, why do you want to live in ‘Sheeshmahal’? When ‘Sheeshmahal’ was allotted to you, you did not respond for three months,” Sachdeva remarked. Earlier on Tuesday, Atishi alleged that the Centre had revoked the allotment of the 6 Flagstaff Road residence, citing her non-occupation of the property as the reason