New Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday criticised Arvind Kejriwal over the government bungalow recently allotted to him at Lodhi Estate, dubbing it “Sheesh Mahal 2” and alleging that private funds were used to create luxury amenities there.

There was no immediate response from the Aam Aadmi Party to the allegations.

At a press conference, Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that Kejriwal had become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle. He claimed that after leaving the earlier “Sheesh Mahal”, Kejriwal moved to Punjab and has now shifted into a new luxurious residence in Lodhi Estate.

Displaying photographs of the Type-VII bungalow allotted to Kejriwal in his capacity as head of a national party, Verma claimed the Central Public Works Department does not usually spend such amounts on official residences. He alleged that private money had been spent to develop high-end facilities inside the bungalow.

The minister demanded that Kejriwal and the AAP disclose how much was spent on the residence and the source of the funds.

The BJP had earlier labelled Kejriwal’s former residence at 6 Flagstaff Road as “Sheesh Mahal”, alleging financial irregularities in its renovation and the purchase of expensive interiors and household items.

Verma claimed the new residence at 95 Lodhi Estate has five bedrooms and four drawing rooms, and said it offers amenities superior to many other bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi, including those occupied by leaders of parties such as the Indian National Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

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Verma, who defeated Kejriwal from the New Delhi Assembly constituency in last year’s assembly polls, also alleged that corruption within the AAP led to the resignation of seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs on Friday.