In an escalating row between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has hit back at the Centre over her alleged eviction from her official residence. Speaking on Thursday, Atishi said that while the BJP could take over the bungalow if it wished, the AAP leaders "live in people's hearts."

Atishi accused the BJP of employing various tactics to undermine the AAP-led government in Delhi. "The BJP is worried because it cannot defeat us in elections. When they fail to form a government, they resort to 'Operation Lotus' and even imprison our leaders. Now, unable to have their own chief minister, they are contemplating taking over the CM's residence. If this brings them peace, they are welcome to do so," she remarked.

She referred to ?Operation Lotus,? a term used by opposition parties to describe what they claim is a strategy by the BJP to lure MLAs from rival parties to establish governments in states where it has lost elections.

Atishi, who was sworn in as Chief Minister on September 21, following Arvind Kejriwal's resignation, emphasized that AAP leaders did not enter politics for luxury. "We did not come into politics to live in lavish cars and bungalows. If necessary, we will govern from the streets. The BJP can enjoy the bungalow; we live in people's hearts," she added.

Kejriwal had resigned after receiving bail from the Supreme Court in the liquor policy case but indicated that he would reclaim the position if AAP is re-elected in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

The AAP alleged earlier this week that Atishi was evicted from the official residence that had been previously occupied by Kejriwal, just two days after moving in, further intensifying tensions between the two parties.

The eviction row marks the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political tussle between AAP and the BJP, as both parties gear up for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.