Arvind Kejriwal slams Center over CBI probe on residence renovation case

After the Central Bureau of probe (CBI) launched a preliminary probe into “alleged” irregularities in the construction and repair of his home on Thursday, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi and the founder of the Aam Aadmi Party, fired a shot at the federal government.

“What can we expect from a ‘Fourth pass Raja’? They want me to bow down before them. They want to break me. But I will not bow down”, Kejriwal said while speaking to reporters in Delhi.

The CBI has started a preliminary probe to look into the alleged irregularities in the construction and renovation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence.

The “renovation” of Kejriwal’s official apartment, 6, Flagstaff Road, in the city’s Civil Lines neighbourhood, according to the BJP, cost almost Rs 45 crore.

“This shows that the Prime Minister is distressed. Till now, he has had over 50 enquiries conducted. He has got over 33 cases registered against me. He got it all enquired but nothing came out. Ever since I assumed the charge of the Delhi Chief Minister, they have been making enquiries against me. They have found nothing to date”, he added.

The Delhi Chief Minister further maintained that the government agency’s inquiry into alleged irregularities in the construction of his residence would yield no results.

“They have started a new enquiry. We welcome it. But nothing will come out”, he said.

Taking potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal said, “Today, I am presenting a challenge before the ‘fourth pass Raja’, if you find nothing in this investigation, are you ready to resign from your post having had conducted false enquiries”?

Earlier on Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party also questioned the central government for the CBI’s move.

“The BJP is leaving no stone unturned in finishing off the Aam Aadmi Party. Today, there is only the AAP seeking votes on the basis of work done in the field of health and education. However, the BJP does not want the poor to receive the best education and healthcare services. This will lead to the defeat of the BJP’s religion and caste-based politics,” the AAP said in a statement.

In response, the BJP attacked the Delhi AAP government, claiming that it was rife with corruption.

” In the history of India, the AAP has established a record of becoming the most corrupt political party in the least amount of time. As far as the corruption surrounding the ‘palace’ of the CM is concerned then every citizen of Delhi knows that even the toilets and and curtains costed crores.”

The Public Works Department (PWD) received show-cause notices from the Directorate of Vigilance earlier this year in relation to the alleged expenditure on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence.

(With agency inputs)