9 months ago
Kejriwal House Row: Chandigarh Bungalow No. 50 Becomes Political Flashpoint
Imagine a big house in a city called Chandigarh that's usually for important people working for the state government.
Recently, a political party called the AAP has been using this house when their leader, Arvind Kejriwal, visits.
Some other politicians, from a party called the BJP, are saying that Mr. Kejriwal is using this house like a fancy palace and it's not right because he doesn't live there all the time.
They also say the government is spending too much money fixing up houses.
The AAP says the house is for the current leader of the state to use as an office and to welcome guests, and Mr. Kejriwal is just a guest.
They also say that fixing up houses is sometimes needed and that other leaders have also spent money on these houses before.
This house has been used by many different leaders for many different reasons over the years.
The BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of using Bungalow No. 50 in Chandigarh as his personal 'palatial' base.
Bungalow No. 50 is officially designated as the Punjab CM's camp office-cum-guest house under the AAP government.
Kejriwal has stayed at the bungalow for short periods, while previously staying at other government guest houses.
The bungalow has a history of housing various senior officials and has undergone renovations in the past, with significant expenses noted in 2017.
The AAP denies the BJP's claims, stating Kejriwal is a guest and the bungalow serves its designated official purpose.
- Who
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, BJP leaders
- What
- Controversy over the use of Bungalow No. 50 in Chandigarh, alleged to be used by Kejriwal as a 'palatial' base.
- Where
- Bungalow No. 50, Sector 2, Chandigarh
- When
- Ongoing, with recent stays by Kejriwal in September and October.
- Why
- The BJP alleges misuse of a government property for personal convenience by Kejriwal, while the AAP claims it is a designated camp office and guest house.
BJP
AAP
Use of Bungalow No. 50
BJP
Arvind Kejriwal has converted Bungalow No. 50 into a 'palatial' base for his visits to Chandigarh, treating it as his own residence.
AAP
Arvind Kejriwal is using Bungalow No. 50 purely as a guest of CM Bhagwant Mann, whose camp office it is designated to be.
Allegations of Extravagance
BJP
The AAP government is splurging on houses, security, vehicles, and even a chopper, refusing to provide expenditure details.
AAP
Renovations on Bungalow No. 50 were overdue, and previous occupants also undertook refurbishments.
Key facts
- Location
- Bungalow No. 50, Sector 2, Chandigarh
- Designation
- CM's camp office-cum-guest house under AAP government
- Past Occupants
- Raghav Chadha, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Atul Nanda, Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, O P Chautala, K P S Gill, Julio Ribeiro
- Previous Renovation
- Rs 1 crore spent in 2017 by Advocate General Atul Nanda
- Kejriwal's Stays
- Stayed for three days in October and a couple of days in September
Quotes
Sukhpal Khaira
Former AAP Leader of the Opposition, now in Congress
“I took information under the RTI then. Now, they (the AAP government) are just refusing to give any information… They have been splurging on everything – houses, security, vehicles, even a chopper.”
indianexpress.com
a source
An individual associated with the previous occupancy of Bungalow No. 50
“It was more like a public inn. The place was dilapidated, the washrooms stank, and people slept in mattresses laid on the floor”
indianexpress.com
An Akali leader
An anonymous Akali Dal member
“Kairon used it as a kind of guesthouse. He never stayed in the house.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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