NEW DELHI: Fresh drama erupted around the Delhi chief minister’s residence on Tuesday as AAP leader Atishi accused the BJP-led Union government of “snatching his house” for the second time in three months. when canceling the assignment. The conflict over the CM’s house intensified after BJP’s Amit Malviya intervened to counter the Delhi CM saying that she “was not evicted” and “never moved in.” Sheesh Mahalwhich was assigned to him on October 11, 2024.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, Delhi CM Atishi said the BJP had expelled her from the CM’s residence “for the second time in three months”.
‘Take our homes, abuse us or speak against our family, but…’
Pointing further, he said that the BJP can stop the AAP from working by snatching their houses, abusing them and speaking against their families, but it cannot stop their passion to work for the people of Delhi.
“The BJP believes that they will stop us from working by snatching our houses, abusing us and badmouthing my family. They can snatch our houses, stop our work, but they cannot stop our passion to work for the people of Delhi,” he said. .
Unexpectedly, Atishi in his speech said that if necessary he would stay in the homes of Delhiites and continue working from them.
“I will stay in the homes of Delhiites”
“If necessary, I will go and stay in the homes of the people of Delhi and continue working for the people of Delhi,” he said.
“Three months ago my belongings were thrown on the road. The BJP should remember that today, when I have been thrown out again from the Chief Minister’s residence, I swear that I will ensure that every woman in Delhi gets Rs 2,100, every priest and Granthi gets a fee of Rs 18,000 and every senior citizen receives free treatment under the Sanjeevani Yojana.”
‘They offered two more luxurious bungalows’: BJP responds to Atishi’s claim
BJP’s Amit Malviya took to X to “expose false claims by Arvind Kejriwal’s protégé and Delhi CM Atishi Marlena”.
He highlighted two facts to counter the Delhi CM and said, firstly, that she “has NOT been evicted” and secondly, “she never moved to Sheesh Mahal which was allotted to her on October 11, 2024” .
Further escalating the standoff over residence in Delhi, he said, “Atishi already has an official residence at 17 AB Mathura Road and has been offered two more luxurious bungalows.”
“She deliberately avoided taking possession,” Malviya alleges
In her post, Malviya further stated “why ‘Sheesh Mahal’ assignment has been withdrawn” on two key reasons.
- “Failure to take possession: You were asked to take possession within a week of allotment, but failed to do so even after three months, in violation of rules,” he wrote.
- “CBI/ED investigation: The Sheesh Mahal is under scrutiny by the CBI/ED, with a CAG report confirming corruption in its construction. When the house was allotted, one of the conditions was that Atishi had to cooperate with investigations However, she deliberately avoided taking possession, left the house closed and hindered investigative agencies,” he added in his publication X.
‘She doesn’t want to offend Arvind Kejriwal’
BJP leader said Delhi CM is ‘LYING’ and shared a letter from PWD. “She has not yet occupied it because she does not want to offend Arvind Kejriwal. Therefore, they withdrew her allotment and instead offered her two more bungalows,” he said.
Single-phase voting in Delhi
Atishi’s allegations followed the Election Commission of India’s announcement of Delhi Assembly polls dates. Delhiites will cast their votes in a single phase on February 5 and counting will take place on February 8.
“This is a single-phase election. We have deliberately kept the polls on Wednesday so that more people come out to vote like we did in Maharashtra,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a news conference.