Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: A fresh confrontation has erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Centre, with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi allegedly being evicted from her official residence just two days after moving in. The AAP has accused Lt Governor Vinai Saxena of forcibly removing Atishi’s belongings from the bungalow “at the behest of the BJP.”
The Delhi Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a statement alleging that for the first time in the country’s history, a Chief Minister’s residence was vacated under force. “At the behest of the BJP, the Lt Governor forcibly removed Chief Minister Atishi’s belongings from the residence,” the CMO said.
Visuals from the scene showed numerous cartons and luggage being taken out of the bungalow, while reports indicated that a double lock had been placed on the residence. Sources claim the necessary paperwork regarding the handover of the residence to the Public Works Department (PWD) was not completed.
Clash Over Bungalow Allocation
The issue over Atishi’s residence has become a new flashpoint between the AAP and BJP. Atishi had recently moved into the bungalow at Flagstaff Road in north Delhi’s Civil Lines, which had been occupied by her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal for over nine years.
However, hours after Atishi moved in, BJP leaders claimed the residence was not yet officially handed over to the PWD for reassignment. Opposition Leader Vijender Gupta shared a purported PWD letter dated October 6, which alleged that Mr. Kejriwal had “not fully vacated” the bungalow, as many of his belongings remained inside.
BJP’s Accusations and AAP’s Counterclaims
According to the BJP, the handover process had not been finalized, with the keys being taken back after initially being handed over to the PWD. Gupta claimed, “It is brought to your attention that the keys of the house at 6, Flagstaff Road, handed over to PWD, were taken back after some time and are yet to be officially handed over.”
In response, the AAP accused the BJP of trying to “usurp” the residence and prevent Atishi from occupying it. The Lt Governor’s office has yet to officially comment on the allegations.
The situation marks another instance of escalating tensions between AAP and the Centre over governance and political control in Delhi, with the residence dispute adding to the already fraught relations between the two sides.
