Dramatic scenes unfolded outside the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, accompanied by mediapersons, attempted to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allegations of extravagant spending on the bungalow’s renovation.

The controversy stems from the BJP’s claim that public funds were misused for luxurious upgrades at the Chief Minister’s bungalow on Flagstaff Road, dubbed a “Sheeshmahal” by BJP leaders. In response, AAP sought to “expose the truth” by inviting media to inspect the premises and later planned to visit the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg to highlight its expenses.

However, when AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj arrived at the Civil Lines bungalow with journalists, they were stopped by the police, who cited potential law and order concerns.

Tensions rise at the scene

Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of spreading misinformation, stating, “Why can’t we go inside? They claim there’s a golden toilet, a minibar, and a swimming pool. Let the media see and decide.” Bharadwaj echoed these sentiments, questioning the authority behind the police’s actions.

The leaders argued that barring them from entry was a violation of their rights as elected representatives. Singh added, “If the BJP’s claims are true, they should allow us inside. Their refusal only proves they are lying.”

Attempt to shift focus

Following the police standoff, AAP leaders moved towards the Prime Minister’s residence but were stopped again. Singh reiterated his call for transparency, saying, “The BJP is spreading lies about the Chief Minister’s residence while the Prime Minister’s palace, worth Rs 2,700 crore, remains unexamined. Let there be a tour of both residences for the public to see the reality.”

BJP’s counterattack

The BJP dismissed AAP’s actions as theatrics. Pradeep Bhandari, a BJP spokesperson, criticized AAP for abandoning its earlier promises of simplicity and transparency. “Kejriwal entered politics claiming he would live in a modest apartment and avoid VVIP culture. Yet, during a crisis like Covid, he spent Rs 52 crore on his residence. This melodrama by Sanjay Singh won’t distract the public from these facts,” he said.

The larger political context

The allegations against Kejriwal gained momentum after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlighted a significant escalation in the renovation costs for the Chief Minister’s residence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in, accusing AAP of misplaced priorities during the pandemic.

Kejriwal, who stepped down as Chief Minister after facing charges in a corruption case, has stated that he will return to office only after a public mandate. Meanwhile, the BJP has intensified its campaign to paint AAP as detached from the common man’s struggles.

As the war of words continues, the standoff reflects the high stakes in the upcoming Delhi elections, where both parties are vying to shape public perception in their favor.

The central government led by BJP recently approved the earmarking of a designated site within the Rashtriya Smriti complex, a part of the Rajghat precinct for erecting a memorial of former President of India late Pranab Mukherjee.

This development was shared by Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee on social media platform X. She expressed thanks and gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government’s decision to create a memorial for Pranab Mukherjee. She added that the decision is more cherished considering that they did not ask for it. She expressed that she is immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by the Prime Minister.

In her social media post, Sharmistha Mukherjee added that the former President Pranab Mukherjee used to say that State honours should not be asked for, it should be offered. She said that she is very grateful that PM Narendra Modi did this to honour her father’s memory. She continued that the decision does not affect Pranab Mukherjee, considering where he is now, beyond applause or criticism. However, for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express the joy, she added.

Notably, Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012-2017. In his political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India. Before his election as President, Pranab Mukherjee was Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. The former President was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019, by his successor as president, Ram Nath Kovind.

Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020 at the age of 84 after he was tested positive for coronavirus. The Rashtriya Smriti Sthal was set up as a common memorial site for former Presidents and Prime Ministers of India. It also includes the memorial to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee will release the admit cards for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025 today. Registered candidates can download their admit cards from the official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in, using their login credentials.

Initially scheduled for release on January 2, 2025, the admit cards will allow candidates to appear for the exams scheduled on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025. These tests are key for admission into postgraduate engineering programs across India.

Steps to download GATE 2025 admit card

1. Visit the official website: gate2025.iitr.ac.in.
2. Log in using your enrollment number and password.
3. Click on the “GATE Login” button.
4. Access the link for downloading the admit card.
5. Download and print the admit card for exam day.

Exam schedule and format

GATE 2025 will be conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) across multiple centers categorized into eight zones. Results are expected to be announced on March 19, 2025.

The exam includes 30 papers, with candidates allowed to select one or two from approved combinations. It will be three hours long, featuring three question types:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): Single correct option.
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): Multiple correct options.
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Enter numerical values.

GATE evaluates candidates on recall, comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis. Scores will remain valid for three years.

Negative marking policy

For MCQs, incorrect answers will result in a penalty:

• 1-mark questions: Deduction of 1/3 mark.
• 2-mark questions: Deduction of 2/3 mark.

No negative marking applies to MSQ and NAT questions.

Mock test links for practice

To assist candidates in preparing for the exam, mock test links for all papers are available on the official website. These tests replicate the CBT format, providing a hands-on experience. Candidates can select their test paper name and code to access the mock tests.

Aspiring candidates are advised to download their admit cards promptly and utilize the mock test links to refine their preparation for the GATE 2025 exams.