NEW DELHI: Nearly 36 days ago, BJP legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Delhi Chief Minister, and surprisingly, she has been operating her office from the street in front of her home.
During the Times Now Summit 2025 on Friday, Chief Minister Gupta made a surprising revelation in response to a question posed by Anchor Navika. The anchor asked, “Rekha ji, have you also decided not to live in the CM House that was built by Kejriwal ji? Are you sending a message..” Gupta then stated, “I too have decided not to reside in the CM House that was built by Kejriwal.”
She stated, “I am actively engaging in messaging on this (Sheesh Mahal) issue. Despite my efforts, I have yet to find a home. I have set up my office on the street in front of my house, meeting with as many people as possible by placing chairs out in the morning. However, I cannot bring myself to sleep on a chief minister’s luxurious Sheesh Mahal inside a house that cost millions of rupees. Instead, that money could have been used to provide housing for those still sleeping under flyovers. The people in slums deserve that money there are thousands of people without access to proper sanitation facilities…”
“…Allow me to recount a tragic incident in Pitampura. A woman from a slum went to use a public toilet, which was elevated about one and a half feet above the ground with an Indian-style toilet. She slipped and fell into the pit, resulting in her death within 10 minutes. This incident highlights the dire conditions in the capital city of Delhi…”
“…I question whether anyone has considered the development of the vast slum areas in Delhi. Has the AAP government ever shown concern for providing basic amenities like playgrounds, parks, streets, drains, sewers, or waste management for those living in poverty in slums? Delhi should be ashamed of its neglect and should strive to rectify these injustices.”
CM Gupta said: “I would like to bring to your attention the concerning lack of bathing facilities available for women in the various slum clusters. Currently, women and girls residing in these slums are forced to bathe in the open, leaving them vulnerable to unwanted attention. Their bathing options are limited to either outdoor spaces or cramped rooms equipped with only a stove, bed, and a flimsy curtain for privacy. These same spaces are also used for dishwashing and cooking, highlighting the dire living conditions faced by these individuals.”
She further said: “It is disheartening to note that even after so many years of independence, we have failed to provide basic amenities for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. The Congress party, for instance, has established camps such as India Camp, Sanjay Camp and Rajiv Camp, yet these efforts have not significantly improved the lives of the impoverished. Many slum residents have been living in these conditions for decades without any signs of progress or development.”
In a groundbreaking move, I have allocated a budget of 700 crores towards improving the living conditions of slum dwellers. This initiative marks the first step towards ensuring that these individuals are granted the right to equality and access to essential facilities. It is time for us to prioritize the well-being of all members of society, regardless of their socioeconomic status, Gupta added.
The former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, faced allegations of spending Rs 45 crore on renovating his official residence. This controversy became a focal point for the BJP in their efforts to remove AAP from power.
In a recent budget speech, the current Chief Minister announced plans to transform Sheesh Mahal into a museum. However, the issue still remains regarding finding a suitable official residence for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. It is crucial for her to have a space where she can meet with taxpayers, delegates, and host other important events. The role of bureaucrats in this process is essential and their actions will be closely monitored.
