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The revelation comes at a time when Delhi election dates have been announced and the leaked CAG report has put additional pressure on the Kejriwal government
Manmohan Singh and PM Narendra Modi, though divided by political spectrum and ideology, seem to be united by their belief in simple living. (PTI)
At a time when former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s alleged expenditure spree over his ‘Sheesh Mahal’ has become an issue ahead of the polls scheduled for February 5 in the Capital, an RTI reply shows the contrast that both serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Dr Manmohan Singh presented to the AAP chief.
Singh and Modi, though divided by political spectrum and ideology, seem to be united by their belief in simple living. A latest query by RTI activist Prafful Sarda enquired about the cost for the “Deepavali Festival” from 2014 to 2024 — the last 10 years of PM Modi’s rule — and 2004 to 2013 — 10 years of Manmohan Singh’s rule who passed away recently. The query also sought yearly breakup of the cost.
Interestingly, Parvesh Kumar of the Prime Minister’s Office was categorical in his reply when he said: “Personal expenses of the prime minister are not borne by government account.”
“This RTI query should serve as a reminder to our ministers, MPs, MLAs and even corporators, many of whom don’t think twice before splurging from the state exchequer’s money. But here we have two men — a sitting PM and a former PM — leading terms of 10 years with such example,” Sarda told News18.
The revelation comes at an interesting time when Delhi election dates have been announced and the leaked CAG report has put additional pressure on the Kejriwal government.
BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the 2022 CAG report documented an expenditure of Rs 33.86 crore on the CM’s residence, dubbed the ‘Sheesh Mahal’. Sachdeva, however, claimed the actual cost was significantly higher — “Rs 75-80 crore if the inventory of the items in the bungalow is included”.
Kejriwal’s entry into Indian politics was as an “aam aadmi”, fighting the ‘crony politics’ of UPA and Manmohan Singh. Later, he also objected to policy decisions of PM Modi.
