Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma announced on Monday, 7 July 2025, that the former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence — popularly dubbed 'Sheesh Mahal' — located in the Civil Lines area of North Delhi, will be converted into a state guest house. The bungalow, currently sealed, will also house a 'Rang Mahal' to accommodate government guests and visiting dignitaries.

What the Conversion Entails

Verma confirmed that the premises will be repurposed for official state use, with a dedicated facility — the Rang Mahal — developed within the compound. The minister framed the move as a corrective step to restore public utility to a property he alleged had been misused for personal luxury at taxpayer expense.

Verma's Allegations Against Kejriwal

Verma has been a consistent critic of the expenditure on the Civil Lines bungalow. In a video shared on social media, he took viewers on a walkthrough of the sealed residence, highlighting what he described as extravagant spending. He cited a ₹1.5 crore kitchen, ₹95 lakh worth of switches, an ₹88 lakh chandelier, a ₹28 lakh television set, and a monthly electricity bill of ₹5 lakh.

Verma also released a spoof video titled 'Dhurandhar PART 3', in which he compared Kejriwal to 'Rehman Dakait' — a character from the Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar' — to underscore his allegations of corruption camouflaged behind a frugal public image.

The 'Common Man' Contradiction Argument

The PWD Minister drew a sharp contrast between Kejriwal's carefully cultivated image — carrying a ₹2 pen and wearing oversized clothes — and what he alleged was the reality inside the residence. Quoting Verma directly: 'He used to say that I won't take a bungalow, I won't take a house — today it is clear that what he meant was I won't take an ordinary one. I'll take a palace, but I won't take an ordinary house.'

Verma further alleged that Kejriwal had previously signed an affidavit stating he would never accept official accommodation, and had misused images of Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh, while simultaneously spending public funds on silk carpets, bathroom fittings, Vietnam marble flooring, and automatic curtains.

Political Background

The Sheesh Mahal controversy has been a recurring flashpoint between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi. Kejriwal, who is the national convenor of the AAP, has faced sustained criticism from the BJP over the renovation costs of the residence since his tenure as Chief Minister. The bungalow has remained sealed following the change of government in Delhi. AAP has not yet issued a formal response to Monday's announcement.

What Happens Next

The conversion timeline has not been specified by Verma. The development of the Rang Mahal facility will require formal administrative approvals, and details on the scope and cost of the conversion are yet to be made public. The announcement is expected to intensify the ongoing political battle between the BJP-led Delhi government and the AAP over the legacy of the Sheesh Mahal.