In the buildup to the Delhi Assembly elections, a controversy has erupted over the cancellation of Chief Minister Atishi's official residence at 6 Flag Staff Road, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Atishi accused the central government of targeting her and her family, alleging that the eviction notice issued by the Public Works Department (PWD) was politically motivated, as it came just before the Election Commission announced the poll schedule.
Atishi claimed this move was part of a vendetta by the BJP, citing previous incidents where her belongings were allegedly thrown out when she assumed the Chief Minister's post. Addressing her supporters, she vowed to continue working for Delhiites, even suggesting she would live among the people if necessary. She also reiterated her commitment to key initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana, Sanjeevani Yojana, and honorariums for priests.
The PWD offered Atishi alternate accommodations, citing her failure to move into the 6 Flag Staff Road residence three months after assuming office. Sources claimed that the delay was deliberate, allegedly to hinder ongoing investigations into the property, a charge Atishi's party has dismissed.
Amid the row, AAP MP Sanjay Singh launched a scathing rebuttal to BJP allegations that the Chief Minister's residence featured luxurious amenities like gold-plated toilets and a swimming pool. He invited the media to inspect the house and challenged the BJP to substantiate its claims. Singh also turned the spotlight on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of living an extravagant lifestyle, referencing a ₹2,700-crore residence, expensive pens, and luxury carpets.
BJP leader Amit Malviya countered these claims, asserting that the residence allotment was canceled because Atishi did not want to occupy the bungalow, allegedly out of concern for offending former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Malviya stated that alternative accommodations had been offered to Atishi, dismissing her claims of political targeting as false.
The controversy has heightened the political temperature in Delhi, with both parties leveraging the issue to rally their supporters ahead of the elections. Atishi's accusations of vendetta politics and the BJP's defense of the allotment cancellation underscore the deep divisions between the two camps, with the narrative likely to dominate discussions in the coming weeks.
