Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of evicting her from her official residence, just a day before the Election Commission announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in the capital.
Speaking to reporters, Atishi alleged, “The BJP-led central government, for the second time in three months, has thrown me out of my official residence, which was allotted to me as the CM. They cancelled the allotment through a letter and snatched away the residence from an elected CM of an elected government.”
AAP’s Allegations
Atishi claimed that her belongings and those of her family were thrown onto the streets, accusing the BJP of attempting to disrupt the functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
“When I was elected as the CM, they did the same thing three months ago. BJP thinks they will stop our work by snatching our houses, abusing us, and making below-the-belt remarks about our families. But I want to assure the people of Delhi that our work won’t stop even if they take away our home,” she added.
Her cabinet colleague Saurabh Bharadwaj echoed her concerns, saying, “BJP doesn’t care if children are getting education or if people are getting electricity. Their focus is only on targeting AAP leaders. This eviction is unprecedented and shameful.”
BJP’s Rebuttal
The BJP dismissed Atishi’s allegations as baseless. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, claimed that Atishi was not evicted but had failed to occupy the residence allotted to her on October 11, 2024.
“Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena is LYING. She was allotted Sheesh Mahal on October 11, 2024. She hasn’t occupied it because she doesn’t want to offend Arvind Kejriwal. Hence, the allotment was withdrawn, and two more bungalows have been offered to her instead,” Malviya said.
Malviya also shared a letter purportedly issued by the Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD), stating that the allotment of Bungalow No. 6, Flag Staff Road, had been withdrawn due to her non-occupancy.
The letter read: “Under these circumstances and aforesaid reasons, the offer of allotment of Bungalow No. 6, Flag Staff Road, issued to Ms. Atishi, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Delhi, stands withdrawn with immediate effect.”
Election Context
The controversy comes as the political atmosphere in Delhi intensifies ahead of assembly elections scheduled for February 5, with votes to be counted on February 8. Both AAP and BJP have sharpened their attacks on each other in the lead-up to the polls.
While AAP has framed the eviction as an attempt to destabilize its governance, the BJP has countered the narrative by accusing AAP leaders of playing victim politics.