New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD) has cancelled a controversial Rs 59.40 lakh tender issued for renovation and electrical works at the official residence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The cancellation comes amid growing political backlash and public scrutiny over the lavish proposed expenses.
The tender, which included installation of 14 air-conditioners, Rs 6 lakh worth of lighting, and a Rs 9 lakh television set, was scheduled to be opened on July 4. However, a PWD note dated July 7 cited “administrative reasons” for its abrupt withdrawal.
The planned makeover of the CM’s Civil Lines bungalow sparked strong reactions from opposition parties. Both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress accused the BJP-led Delhi government of indulging in extravagance while citizens face ongoing issues such as inflation and water shortages.
The AAP, which previously came under fire for an alleged Rs 45 crore renovation of former CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, accused the BJP of hypocrisy. “Wasn’t BJP crying foul over Kejriwal’s house? Now look at the luxury they planned for their own CM,” an AAP spokesperson said.
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This shows the BJP’s real priorities—not governance, but grand bungalows.”
Although the PWD’s cancellation note refrained from providing details, it is widely believed that the decision was influenced by the intense media attention and political pressure.
Rekha Gupta, a senior BJP leader and former DUSU president, took office as Delhi Chief Minister in February 2025 after the BJP secured a majority in the assembly polls for the first time in nearly three decades.
With the tender now scrapped, it remains unclear whether a revised version will be floated or if the controversy will quietly fade away.
