Two days after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi moved into her official residence, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) reported on Wednesday that the Public Works Department (PWD) has ‘removed’ her belongings. The CMO accused Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, appointed by the BJP-led central government, of ordering the eviction of the bungalow.
Located at 6-Flagg Staff Road in the Civil Lines area of Delhi, the residence was recently vacated by former CM Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned last month following bail from the Supreme Court in a corruption case. The opposition has labeled the property ‘sheeshmahal’ due to its luxurious amenities, criticizing Kejriwal for leading a life that contradicts his ‘aam aadmi’ (common man) image.
With assembly elections approaching in February, Kejriwal stated he would not accept the CM’s position until he receives a ‘certificate of honesty’ from the public. Following his resignation, Atishi was selected as his successor.
In a press conference earlier, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the bungalow had not yet been officially allocated to Atishi and accused the BJP of attempting to ‘usurp’ the CM’s residence, claiming their inability to defeat AAP in past elections is driving their actions.
Responding to these claims, BJP Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta questioned why the keys to the bungalow were not handed over to the PWD by Kejriwal, suggesting they were improperly given to Atishi. He also accused her of ‘occupying’ the property and demanded that it be sealed.
