Delhi Chief Minister's Residence at Flagstaff Road Vacated Amidst AAP-BJP Dispute

The Delhi Chief Minister's residence at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines has become the centre of a dispute. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) claims that the BJP, through Lt Governor V K Saxena, forcibly vacated it to allocate it to a BJP leader. This allegation has intensified tensions between the AAP government and the LG office.

Sources from the LG office stated that the bungalow is not officially designated as the Chief Minister's residence. It has not been allotted to CM Atishi yet. They mentioned that Atishi had kept her belongings there without formal allotment and later removed them herself. The Public Works Department (PWD) owns the bungalow and takes possession once vacated.

Controversy Over Bungalow Allotment

The PWD is responsible for allotting the bungalow after conducting an inventory of items left there. According to LG office sources, AAP should not be concerned as the bungalow will be allotted to the Chief Minister after inventory preparation. However, AAP argues that removing Atishi's belongings during Navratri reflects an anti-women stance by the BJP.

Chief Minister Atishi moved into the North Delhi Civil Lines bungalow on Monday. Her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, occupied it for over nine years before resigning. The CMO accused the BJP of trying to take over the CM residence, claiming that this is unprecedented in India's history.

Political Accusations and Reactions

The BJP has been out of power in Delhi for 27 years and is now allegedly attempting to occupy the CM residence, according to Atishi's office. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva suggested that AAP's quick move to let Atishi occupy the bungalow without allotment indicates something former CM Kejriwal wants to hide.

Sachdeva called for a videography of the bungalow and public disclosure of a report. A pick-up van with cardboard cartons was seen leaving the bungalow, along with a hand cart carrying an almirah and carton. AAP reported that PWD staff double-locked the premises after removing Atishi's personal items.

Allegations of Conspiracy

AAP claims irregularities in evicting CM Atishi suggest a conspiracy, sparking controversy over process fairness. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged on X that LG planted media stories about Atishi's belongings being removed due to her not handing over keys.

Bharadwaj questioned if Raj Niwas keys were handed over by LG's predecessor to PWD and if any inventory was prepared when he moved in. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta welcomed PWD sealing of the bungalow, calling it inevitable and demanded an investigation into its alleged illegal occupation.

Historical Context and Current Developments

BJP accused Atishi of illegally occupying 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow, demanding its sealing. They claimed it wasn't handed over to PWD and keys remained with Kejriwal. Delhi lacks a designated Chief Minister's residence; past CMs lived in various city bungalows.

Kejriwal occupied Flagstaff Road bungalow since becoming CM in 2015. Earlier, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused BJP of trying to usurp it, alleging it's yet to be officially allotted to CM Atishi. He claimed a camp office on its premises was vacated.

Official Correspondence and Actions

Singh presented documents at a press conference showing Kejriwal properly vacated the bungalow. In a letter on Tuesday, CMO informed PWD that keys were handed over on October 4 to section officer Mukesh Kumar at camp office.

The same day, CMO requested PWD to allot 6, Flagstaff Road as CM residence for current chief minister. A vacation report was submitted by a PWD junior engineer on October 5 to a section officer at CM's camp office.

On October 6 at 2 pm, CM Atishi visited the residence where several PWD engineers were present. The keys were handed over by a camp office section officer to PWD engineer Karan Singh Yadav who then gave them to Atishi.

The CMO stated that keys are currently with the chief minister and suggested PWD verify with its engineer if an inventory was prepared before issuing vacation report.