Power play: Did 7 AAP ministers really run up electricity bills of Rs 1.15 crore?

It’s certainly not an aam aadmi electricity bill anymore. The official residence of AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who drew much attention for his down-to-earth image during the 2013 assembly elections, has racked up an electricity bill of Rs 41.51 lakh over two years, from October 2022 to October 2024.

A recent RTI (right to information) response to rights activist Kanhaiya Kumar revealed that seven ministers of the AAP-led Delhi government collectively amassed electricity bills totalling Rs 1.15 crore during the same period.

At the chief minister’s residence at 6 Flagstaff Road, New Delhi, the electricity bill reached an astonishing Rs 41,51,350 for 5,60,335 units consumed between 2 October 2022 and 2 October 2024. During this period, Kejriwal found himself behind bars in March 2024 as part of the investigation into the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, while Atishi took over as chief minister in September 2024.

Education minister Manish Sisodia’s residence on Mathura Road saw its electricity bill soar to Rs 14,95,722 for 1,26,749.75 units from 26 September 2022 to 30 September 2024. Meanwhile, general administration minister Gopal Rai's house accumulated a staggering Rs 21,72,700 for 1,61,883.14 units during the same timeframe.

The health minister’s residence at 8 Raj Niwas Marg tallied Rs 10,53,520 for 68,581.46 units. Satyender Jain served as health minister until his incarceration in May 2022 for a money laundering case linked to four companies. He was replaced by Saurabh Bharadwaj in March 2023. Perhaps the lower bill reflects Jain’s absence — less consumption when the lights are off, right? Jain managed to secure bail in October 2024.

At food and supply minister Imran Hussain’s residence in Rouse Avenue, electricity bills amounted to Rs 19,32,330 for 1,34,943 units.

However, certain discrepancies in the RTI data do raise eyebrows. The social welfare minister’s residence reportedly consumed a little over 1.58 lakh units between 2 October 2022 and 1 June 2024, yet the bill amounted to just Rs 4,99,598. Compare that to Sisodia’s household, which consumed 1.26 lakh units and received a bill of close to Rs 15 lakh, and one can’t help but question the maths.

And then there's the transport minister's residence in Vasant Kunj, which somehow managed to keep its electricity bill at just Rs 1,91,630 for 13,438 units over a few months between 8 October 2022 and 4 June 2023. Kailash Gahlot was the minister in question, and just happened to switch sides to join the BJP for the 2025 Delhi assembly elections.

Back in 2015, the electricity bill at Kejriwal’s residence sparked controversy, with an amount of approximately Rs 1.35 lakh from two meters for June. Even then, it was unclear how much power was used for official business and how much for personal reasons. This staggering amount certainly raises questions about the energy conservation efforts championed by the AAP government.

At the time, sources claimed that the CM’s residence boasted over 30 air-conditioners, although it remained uncertain how many were in his private quarters.

With elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly set for 5 February and counting for 8 February, the AAP is seeking a third consecutive term in power. Its campaign focuses on welfare initiatives, promoting free utilities and improved public services as key selling points.