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Accusing Atishi of lying, the BJP said the CM was allotted the bungalow in October but she never took possession, forcing authorities to cancel the allotment
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-led union government cancelled the allotment of the CM’s residence, which the BJP call “Sheeshmahal” over its “expensive” renovation work done during her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure.
Hours after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for Delhi, the Chief Minister along with other AAP leaders addressed a press conference where she claimed that she has received the eviction letter from the Central government last night.
“The schedule for Delhi elections was announced today. Last night, the BJP-led central government, for the second time in three months, threw me out of my official residence, which has been allotted to me as being the CM. They cancelled the allotment of the CM residence through a letter and snatched away the residence from an elected CM of an elected government,” she said.
VIDEO | “The schedule for Delhi elections was announced today. Last night, the BJP-led central government, for the second time in three months, threw me out of my official residence, which has been allotted to me as being the CM. They cancelled the allotment of the CM residence… pic.twitter.com/utEnBNvRJO— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 7, 2025
Atishi further traded barbs at the saffron camp saying that her belongings were even thrown out three months back. “The BJP thinks that they will stop us from working by snatching our houses, abusing us and speaking ill about my family. They can snatch our houses, stop our work but cannot stop our passion for working for the people of Delhi,” she said.
BJP Rebuts Allegations
The BJP has intensified attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report into the expenditure on 6 Flag Staff Road bungalow revealed that Rs 33.66 crore was spent on the project, which was 342 per cent more than the estimated cost of the project.
Reacting to the CM’s charges, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused Atishi of lying and said she was allotted the “Sheeshmahal” bungalow in October but she never took possession, forcing authorities to cancel the allotment.
Exposing the false claims of Arvind Kejriwal’s protégé and Delhi CM, Atishi Marlena:1. She has NOT been evicted.2. She never moved into Sheesh Mahal, which was allotted to her on October 11, 2024.
Atishi already has an official residence at 17 AB Mathura Road and has been… pic.twitter.com/9UxdO4z9SU
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 7, 2025
What Officials Said?
In a notice dated January 6, 2025, Delhi government’s Public Works Department (PWD) said the bungalow at 6, Flag Staff Road is also not a designated house for Delhi CM as it belongs to “General Pool” as per official records. The CM has been offered allotment of Bungalow No 2 at 8 Raj Niwas Lane, Civil Lines and Bungalow No 115 Ansari Road Daryaganj from “General Pool”.
The CM never took physical possession of the property despite multiple communications, the PWD said in letter while mentioning also reasons behind cancellation of allotment.
“The department’s decision to withdraw the offer was influenced by several factors: the ongoing investigations requiring periodic access to the property, the fact that the bungalow is not a designated Chief Minister’s residence but belongs to the General Pool category, and the provision that allotment is automatically cancelled if physical occupation isn’t taken within five working days of the Habitability Certificate’s issuance,” the PWD.
Delhi Elections 2025
Voting for the Delhi polls will take place on February 5 in a single phase while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. As per the final electoral roll of Delhi, the national capital has 1,55,24,858 voters. The number increased by 1.09 per cent since the publication of the October 29, 2024, draft of electors. Delhi has 70 constituencies (58 General and 12 SC seats).
(With inputs from agencies)