The controversy surrounding the Chief Minister's residence in Delhi shows no signs of abating. The CM's residence has been sealed, with the department placing a double lock on its gate. After Kejriwal moved to another bungalow, CM Atishi moved into this one. The Aam Aadmi Party alleges that, at the directive of the Lieutenant Governor, PWD threw out Atishi's belongings and sealed the residence. However, the BJP accused the CM of unlawfully residing in the bungalow.
Essentially, the conflict arose from the handover of the CM's residence after Kejriwal vacated it, prompting PWD to take action. Allegations surfaced that the bungalow was not properly handed over to PWD before Atishi moved her belongings there.
The Root of the Conflict
The crux of the matter is that the bungalow was not officially allotted to Atishi after Kejriwal vacated it, a right that PWD holds. When a residence is vacated, PWD is responsible for inventory and allocation procedures before it can be assigned to another party. The question remains: Can a Chief Minister, upon leaving office, informally pass on an official residence to another CM? After all, the CM's residence is a government property, not a private estate.
Not long ago, a video circulated showing Sunita Kejriwal handing over the bungalow's key to an officer, fueling claims that Arvind Kejriwal had relinquished the CM's residence. However, on October 6, a PWD official wrote to the Special Secretary to the Delhi CM, stating that soon after the key was handed over, it was retrieved, and the bungalow was not fully transferred to PWD.
AAP's Allegation
The Delhi CM's Office alleged that never before in the nation's history has a Chief Minister's residence been forcibly vacated. On Wednesday, the Delhi CM’s office claimed that the ‘Chief Minister’s residence’ at Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines was forcefully vacated upon the BJP's behest, as the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena wanted to allocate it to a BJP leader.
Previously, Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh mentioned that officials were not allocating the bungalow to CM Atishi, and her camp office there was also vacated.
Opposition's Claim
Delhi Assembly's Opposition Leader Vijayendra Gupta alleged that the current CM was unlawfully moved into the bungalow. In a video message, he said, 'Seal the Sheesh Mahal! Despite CM Atishi being officially allocated a residence at AB-17 Mathura Road, she illegally claims the Sheesh Mahal. Why did Kejriwal hand over the keys to Atishi instead of PWD? Kejriwal’s officials are knowingly abetting this illegal occupation. I urge PWD to immediately seal Sheesh Mahal and initiate legal action.'
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva questioned, 'Why has Arvind Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal' finally been sealed? What secrets lie within that the department was denied the keys as you attempted to gain access again?' Sachdeva claimed that the bungalow remains under Kejriwal's control, questioning, 'Atishi has already been allocated a bungalow, so how could she take your bungalow? What secrets lie within that residence?'
A Glance at the Timeline
September 15-
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he would resign from his post in two days. Addressing the ‘Janta Ki Adalat’ rally at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal mentioned he would vacate the CM's bungalow soon. He had resided in the bungalow since 2015.
September 17-
Arvind Kejriwal tendered his resignation from the CM post to Lieutenant Governor Vinay Saxena.
October 4-
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal vacated the residence at Flagstaff Road, handing over the keys to PWD. On October 4, he relocated to bungalow number 5 on Feroz Shah Road, Lutyens Delhi, conducting prayers before moving into his new home.
October 7-
Chief Minister Atishi moved into the bungalow at Flagstaff Road. She subsequently met with and introduced herself to the staff there.
October 8-
Delhi Assembly's Opposition Leader Vijayendra Gupta held a press conference claiming PWD requested the key handover from the CM office’s Special Secretary on September 6, pointing out Kejriwal hadn’t vacated the CM’s residence.
October 9-
On Wednesday, October 9, PWD removed the belongings of CM Atishi from the residence at Flagstaff Road and sealed it.
