New Delhi (TIP)- Two days after she moved into the Civil Lines bungalow earlier occupied by her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was asked to vacate the premises by officials of the Public Works Department – the department she heads.
The episode marks a sharp escalation in the row around the CM’s residence – while the Aam Aadmi Party claims Atishi moved in after taking care of formalities, the PWD says an official “handover” of the property from Kejriwal to the department is yet to take place. It is also the latest in a series of confrontations between the elected government and the bureaucracy.
PWD officials said the house has been sealed.
Calling the move unprecedented, the CM’s Office said, “For the first time in the history of the country, the Chief Minister has been asked to vacate her house. The L-G has forcibly removed CM Atishi’s belongings at the behest of the BJP. Preparations are underway on behalf of the L-G to allot the CM’s residence to a big BJP leader. The BJP, which has been in exile in Delhi for 27 years, now wants to capture the CM’s residence.”
In the afternoon, a cycle-rickshaw and a mini truck were seen leaving the CM’s residence with a cupboard and some cardboard boxes. The baggage scanner near the entry gate was covered with a white cloth. Officials also said the CM Camp office was shut down and the staff were asked to leave the premises.
Kejriwal, who resigned on September 17, shortly after his release on bail from prison, had vacated the house last Friday.
Atishi, according to PWD officials, is in possession of the keys, but not an official allotment letter. Sources said a team of PWD officials visited the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow around 11-11.30 am on Wednesday, and got the keys to the house from her by afternoon.
This is not the first time the bungalow has been in the news – last year, Kejriwal and his party had faced criticism from the BJP and Congress over alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the building. While Kejriwal was allotted the house in 2015, it was rebuilt in 2020-21.
After allegations emerged of irregularities and cost escalation in its construction and renovation, the Vigilance department initiated an inquiry and 10 PWD officials faced disciplinary proceedings and suspension. The Central Bureau of Investigation is also probing the matter.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Vigilance on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to three officials — including the special secretary to the CM — for not handing over keys to the house “despite directions” from the PWD. The other two served notice are section officers who were posted in the CM’s Camp Office during Kejriwal’s tenure. The officials have been directed to submit their replies within seven days.
The show-cause notice states, “The said structure/building at 6 Flag Staff Road has never been earmarked as the official residence of the Chief Minister of Delhi… The matter is under examination by the CPWD, CBI as well as Directorate of Vigilance, and the matter has not attained finality due to various aspects of irregularities allegedly committed in the demolition/alteration, addition/construction of a new bungalow…”