The sealing of the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has sparked a fierce political battle, with accusations of power grabs and political vendetta between AAP and the BJP.
The Controversy Behind Delhi’s CM Residence
The official residence of the Chief Minister of Delhi, located at 6 Flagstaff Road in the upscale Civil Lines area, has become the center of a major political controversy. The property, known for its luxurious facilities, was previously occupied by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned as Chief Minister last month following his involvement in a high-profile corruption case. After his resignation, Kejriwal handed over the reins to AAP minister Atishi, who subsequently moved into the residence. However, a dispute over the use and vacating of the residence has now led to the Public Works Department (PWD) sealing the property, claiming its use was illegal.
This move has ignited a bitter political war between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with AAP alleging a politically motivated attack, and the BJP defending the sealing as a legal action. As Delhi gears up for its assembly elections in February, this controversy has become yet another battleground in the already tense political environment.
PWD Seals CM’s Residence Over Alleged ‘Illegal Use’
On Wednesday, the PWD took the unprecedented step of sealing the official residence of Chief Minister Atishi, citing charges of “illegal use” of the property. The house, which was earlier vacated by Arvind Kejriwal after his resignation, had become the subject of an administrative dispute. Atishi, who took over as Chief Minister, moved into the residence but did not receive an official allotment, according to reports.
This alleged discrepancy prompted the PWD to take action. The timing of the sealing, however, has raised eyebrows, as it occurred just months ahead of the Delhi assembly elections. Many see the move as more than just a legal procedure but as a politically charged action meant to unsettle AAP’s leadership.
AAP Cries Foul: Accuses BJP and LG of Political Vendetta
The sealing of the CM’s residence quickly escalated into a political firestorm. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reacted strongly, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the move through Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena, a central government appointee. In a statement, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) alleged that Atishi’s belongings were forcibly removed from the residence at the BJP’s behest, suggesting that the LG had been instructed to vacate the property in order to allocate it to a BJP leader.
“For the first time in the country’s history, the residence of a sitting Chief Minister has been forcibly vacated,” the CMO said in its statement, accusing the BJP of trying to undermine AAP’s leadership by targeting the CM’s official residence. They further alleged that the BJP, out of power in Delhi for 27 years, was now trying to “occupy” the CM’s residence to prepare for the upcoming elections.
‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy: Kejriwal’s Luxurious Residence Under Fire
The official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road has long been a source of controversy for its luxurious amenities, leading opposition parties to dub it the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (glass palace). The irony of Kejriwal, who rose to power as the leader of the ‘common man’ (Aam Aadmi), living in a lavish residence was not lost on critics. The BJP has often used this as a talking point to attack Kejriwal, accusing him of hypocrisy for preaching simplicity while residing in such opulence.
After Kejriwal resigned last month, following his bail from the Supreme Court in a corruption case, Atishi moved into the residence, which intensified the political battle over the property.
BJP Defends Action, Questions Legality of Residence Use
The BJP, however, has defended the PWD’s decision to seal the residence. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva welcomed the move, saying, “Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’ has finally been sealed. How was he staying in the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ without completion approval from the authorities? He also wanted Atishi to stay in that house. What is hidden inside?”
Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta also questioned why the bungalow’s keys were never formally handed over to the PWD after Kejriwal’s resignation, implying that the AAP had taken unofficial control of the property. For the BJP, the sealing is simply the enforcement of legal norms and an end to what they see as a misuse of government property by AAP leaders.
Sanjay Singh’s Charges: ‘BJP Trying to Usurp CM’s Residence’
AAP’s senior leader Sanjay Singh took a strong stance, accusing the BJP of trying to “usurp” the CM’s residence because it had failed to defeat AAP in previous assembly elections. Singh claimed that the residence had not yet been officially allotted to Atishi, and her belongings were forcefully removed without proper procedure. He argued that this was part of a broader BJP strategy to disrupt AAP ahead of the elections, particularly because the BJP had not been able to make electoral gains in the capital for nearly three decades.
A Political Battle Over Property
With the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, the sealing of the Chief Minister’s residence has become a flashpoint in the political rivalry between AAP and the BJP. While AAP portrays the move as a politically motivated attack, the BJP insists it is merely a matter of law and order.
As both parties brace for a heated election season, this dispute over the CM’s residence may be only the beginning of a larger political battle for control of Delhi’s future.
(With inputs from agencies)
