Kailash Gahlot leads BJP protest outside Arvind Kejriwal home over renovation row

The BJP questioned the funding behind the renovation of the property, which was carried out when Arvind Kejriwal was Delhi's Chief Minister.

In Short

• BJP's Delhi chief detained during protest at Kejriwal's residence
• Protest over Chief Minister's residence renovation ahead of 2025 Delhi elections
• Visuals show protesters climbing police barricades

The Delhi unit chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Virendra Sachdeva, along with party workers, was detained by the police on Thursday during a protest, led by former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, outside the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the allegations that his party spent Rs 45 crore to renovate the residence when he was Chief Minister. The BJP questioned the funding behind the renovation of the property, which was carried out when Kejriwal was Delhi’s Chief Minister.

Hundreds of BJP supporters gathered outside the bungalow in the Civil Lines area, chanting slogans against the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. The protest took place months ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly election, adding political heat to the capital.

Visuals from the site showed protesters climbing metal barricades set up by the Delhi Police.

Among the protesters was Kailash Gahlot, a former AAP leader who recently joined the BJP. Gahlot, who resigned from AAP on Sunday, referenced the controversy in his resignation letter. He questioned whether the party still upheld its original values of being for the "aam aadmi" (common man).

Speaking with news agency ANI, Gahlot said, "We have come here to protest over the 'Sheesh Mahal' issue. When I wrote a letter to Arvind Kejriwal, I wrote clearly that a controversy has been created over Sheesh Mahal and is truly unfortunate. This is an example of compromise with the core principles of AAP."

When asked about who will form the next government in the national capital, Gahlot declared, "I think this time the BJP will form the government in Delhi this time. People are troubled because work was not done in Delhi—sewers are overflowing, drinking water is not being supplied, and roads are damaged. I am confident that the people of Delhi will make the BJP win this time."