In a dramatic turn of events, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Delhi has alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s belongings were forcibly removed from her newly-occupied official residence by the Public Works Department (PWD) under the orders of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The CMO claims this move was politically motivated, accusing the Lieutenant Governor, an appointee of the BJP-led central government, of orchestrating the eviction.
Atishi, who assumed office just two days ago, had moved into the official residence located at 6-Flagg Staff Road in the Civil Lines area. The bungalow was recently vacated by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal stepped down from his position last month after securing bail in a corruption case, but his use of the bungalow had drawn criticism from opposition parties, who dubbed it a “sheeshmahal” (palace) due to its luxurious facilities. This led to widespread condemnation of Kejriwal, who entered politics as a representative of the “aam aadmi” (common man), for allegedly leading an opulent lifestyle.
With Delhi’s assembly elections approaching in February, Kejriwal declared that he would not accept the Chief Minister’s post until he earned a “certificate of honesty” from the people. In his absence, Atishi was selected to take on the leadership role.
At a press conference earlier today, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh voiced his party’s frustration, alleging that the residence had not yet been officially allotted to Atishi and accusing the BJP of trying to “usurp” the Chief Minister’s residence due to its inability to defeat the AAP in Delhi’s assembly polls.
In response to these accusations, BJP Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta questioned why the keys to the bungalow were not handed over to the PWD after Kejriwal’s resignation, suggesting that Atishi had improperly taken control of the property.
This controversy comes at a crucial time as Delhi prepares for its upcoming elections, with political tensions rising between the AAP and the BJP. Both sides are now engaged in a heated dispute over the Chief Minister’s residence, adding a layer of political drama to an already charged election season.
Sources By Agencies