DPCC chief accuses BJP Govt of splurging over Rs 8L on Holi Milan

The Delhi Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP-led city government of misusing public funds by spending more than Rs 8.42 lakh on Holi Milan celebrations at the Delhi Assembly — barely a month after taking office.

Citing data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav alleged the BJP had reneged on its promise of financial prudence and was emulating the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Yadav noted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had pledged during the Assembly’s first session that her administration would avoid unnecessary expenditure of taxpayers’ money. “Yet, within a month, over Rs 8.42 lakh was splurged on a Holi Milan event — showing they are no different from the AAP regime they criticised,” he said.

According to the RTI reply obtained by the Delhi Congress’s RTI Cell from the Assembly Secretariat, Rs 8,42,787 was spent on the function. Of this, Rs 7,500 was used for ‘gulal’ (coloured powder), while a substantial Rs 4,22,500 was spent on refreshments catered by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).

However, Yadav pointed out no breakdown was provided for the remaining Rs 4 lakh, raising suspicions over the expenditure. “The lack of transparency regarding the rest of the funds raises serious questions. Where did the money go? This smells of corruption,” he alleged.

He also noted the AAP government had spent significantly less in previous years — Rs 91,313 in 2022 and Rs 1,16,842 in 2023 — on similar Holi celebrations. “Despite claiming to be different, the BJP government has chosen the same path of wasteful expenditure. Instead of setting an example of austerity, they have shown an eagerness to misuse public funds for self-congratulatory events,” Yadav said.

The Congress leader demanded the BJP disclose a full itemised list of expenses related to the Holi Milan event and explain the use of the unaccounted funds.

“At a time when Delhi is facing civic issues like water shortages and power outages, such extravagant spending from the public exchequer is not only irresponsible but unacceptable,” he added.

BJP lambasts Yadav

The Delhi unit of the BJP has hit back at Congress leader Devender Yadav for criticising government spending on Holi Milan celebrations, accusing him of promoting what it called an “anti-Hindu agenda.”

BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor condemned the Delhi Congress President’s remarks, claiming they reflect his party’s longstanding disregard for Hindu festivals.

“Devender Yadav seems to have developed a habit of making daily statements just to remain in the news. Today, he objected to the Holi Milan expenses incurred by the Delhi Government under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta,” Kapoor said.

He added ‘Holi Milan’ gatherings have been a tradition within Delhi’s government setup since the 1950s and should not be politicised. “By questioning expenditure related to Holi, Devender Yadav has once again exposed his party’s anti-Hindu mindset,” Kapoor alleged.

Delhi