The confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Centre escalated on Thursday after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi claimed the BJP was attempting to seize the chief minister’s residence. This conflict arose following her alleged eviction from the official bungalow previously occupied by Arvind Kejriwal.
BJP’s Alleged Actions and Atishi’s Response
Atishi, in a series of sharp remarks, accused the BJP of using multiple tactics, including “Operation Lotus” (a term used by opposition parties to accuse the BJP of poaching and bribing MLAs to form governments in states it has lost), to obstruct the AAP-led Delhi government. She asserted that the BJP was frustrated because it couldn’t defeat AAP in elections or have its own chief minister in Delhi.
In a defiant tone, Atishi said in Hindi, “They could not have their own chief minister, so now they are thinking of seizing the chief minister’s residence. If this brings them peace, they are welcome to do so.” She emphasized that AAP leaders do not seek luxury and that the BJP could “enjoy the bungalow” while AAP continues to “live in people’s hearts.”
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Atishi’s Role as Chief Minister
Atishi took over as Delhi’s Chief Minister on September 21, following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation. Kejriwal stepped down after receiving bail in the liquor policy case but stated he would return to the post if AAP wins next year’s Delhi Assembly elections. Days after her appointment, AAP claimed that Atishi was forced to vacate the residence previously occupied by Kejriwal.
Lieutenant Governor’s Office Responds
Sources from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s office countered these claims, stating that Atishi had placed her belongings in the bungalow before it was officially allotted to her and later removed them. They clarified that her official residence remains at 17 AB Mathura Road, where she was allotted a house after becoming a minister last year. They questioned how two residences could be assigned to one person.
BJP’s Counterclaims
The BJP argued that Kejriwal had not fully vacated the residence at 6, Flag Staff Road, with many of his belongings still inside. They also claimed that the house had not been formally handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD), delaying its reallocation. BJP leader Vijender Gupta wrote a letter highlighting that the keys to the bungalow had been temporarily returned but were not yet handed over to the PWD for reallocation.
This face-off has intensified the ongoing political tensions between the AAP and the Centre.
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