NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s decision to decline the luxurious official residence, referred to by the BJP as “Sheesh Mahal”, has prompted the Public Works Department (PWD) to propose alternative accommodations.
The PWD has identified three bungalows for the Chief Minister’s consideration: Two on Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg in central Delhi and one on the Rajpur Road in the Civil Lines area of north Delhi.
The two bungalows on DDU Marg are located near the Delhi BJP office and the BJP national headquarters, while the Rajpur Road property lies in the historically significant Civil Lines neighborhood. All three options have been refurbished and meet the security standards required for the Chief Minister’s Z-category protection.
Currently, CM Gupta continues to stay at her private residence in Shalimar Bagh, her home constituency. The final decision on her official residence will be made after she evaluates the proposed options, following which the General Administration Department will formalise the allocation.
The CM had expressed unease with the opulence of the “Sheesh Mahal”, which had drawn criticism due to its multi-crore renovation costs.
“Her decision reflects her commitment to austerity and transparency, a key theme of her election campaign,” said a BJP leader on condition of anonymity.
Political analysts suggest that this move could bolster public trust, particularly in light of the previous administration’s controversy over alleged misuse of taxpayer funds for lavish renovations.
“By rejecting the ‘Sheesh Mahal’, the CM is sending a strong message that her government prioritises public welfare over personal comfort,” the BJP leader added.
In addition to securing a residence for the CM, the PWD is tasked with arranging accommodations for six other ministers, the Assembly Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. This involves allocating eight more bungalows in accordance with government housing regulations.