NEW DELHI, July 6, 2025—Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Shri Devender Yadav lashed out at the BJP leaders for misusing the taxpayers’ money for their luxurious living while the residents of Delhi are going through terrible struggle under severe heat due to frequent powercuts and shortage of potable water. He said that the BJP leaders’ royal living is funded by taxpayers’ money as he dubbed the official bungalow of Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta as the “Shauch Mahal” (Toilet Palace)’ just as he had previously referred to CM Rekha Gupta’s bungalow as ‘Phoolkumari Niwas.'”
Shri Devender Yadav said that more than ₹2.35 crore have so far been spent on the official residence of Assembly Speaker Shri Vijender Gupta (Bungalow No. 9, Shyamnath Marg) out of which ₹94.69 lakh has been spent solely on the renovation of toilets and bathrooms.
Shri Devender Yadav, citing documents, stated that expensive tiles, showers, fittings and basins are part of this “royal renovation” of the Speaker’s bungalow, and additionally, ₹94.93 lakh has been spent exclusively on electrical work and ₹44.82 lakh on other repairs and beautification. He said that it was shocking that this expenditure far exceeds the amount spent for the renovation of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s ‘Phoolkumari Residence.’
Shri Devender Yadav expressed concern that this expenditure could gradually multiply, much like Arvind Kejriwal’s opulent ‘Sheesh Mahal.’ He said that there was now competition within the BJP to see who can squander the public money on their residences the most.
Shri Devender Yadav said that while there is a contest for ‘royal spending’ between Rekha Gupta and Vijendra Gupta, the ‘power struggle’ between Minister Parvesh Verma and Rekha Gupta has also come out in the open. He added that the BJP leaders have no concern for the public’s problems as their only priority seems to enhance their own luxury and comfort to derive the maximum advantage of being in power.
Shri Devender Yadav also revealed that projects related to the Delhi Jal Board will now be approved without Cabinet clearance, and this development is part of the BJP’s internal disagreements and politics of compromise. He recalled that how, after Minister Parvesh Verma’s displeasure, he was made the head of a committee to be overseen by the PMO. Similarly, Verma is now being freed from seeking approval from the Cabinet led by Rekha Gupta for the expenditure of Delhi Jal Board. He said that currently, BJP ministers and MLAs are caught up in factionalism, engaged in a tug-of-war to get their share of the spoils of power.
Shri Devender Yadav said that between 1993 and 1998, the BJP changed three chief ministers due internal power wranglings, and even after 27 years, the same story seems likely to repeat—the hunger for power and a race for glory continue unabated.
“If this is the attitude of BJP leaders, then the Rs 1 lakh crore budget of Delhi will be spent only on their amenities,” he said. He accused the BJP of not fulfilling even a single promise made in its manifesto. He said that people are watching everything and just as they taught a lesson to the corruption-ridden Kejriwal government, it will give a befitting reply to the BJP when the time comes.
About the Author
