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The ongoing political saga surrounding the official residence of Delhi's Chief Minister has taken another dramatic turn. The Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for allotting government bungalows, has rescinded its offer of the Civil Lines bungalow to Chief Minister Atishi. The stated reason for this withdrawal is Atishi's failure to take physical possession of the property despite multiple requests and the issuance of an authority slip last October. This action highlights a deeper conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, further intensifying existing political tensions in Delhi.
The timeline of events reveals a complex sequence of actions and counter-actions. After former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal vacated the bungalow, Atishi briefly occupied it before being asked to leave by PWD officials. While she held the keys, the PWD maintained that the formal handover from Kejriwal was incomplete and that the inventory was not finalized. Despite the official allotment of the bungalow to Atishi on October 11th, followed by her acceptance on October 14th and the issuance of an authority slip on October 16th, physical possession never materialized. The PWD's letter explicitly states that only technical possession was taken on October 23rd through Atishi's representative, and despite repeated requests for a joint inspection and physical handover, these efforts remained unsuccessful.
The PWD's insistence on physical possession and the subsequent cancellation of the allotment are grounded in procedural regulations. Their letter emphasizes that the failure to take physical occupation within five working days of the habitability certificate's issuance automatically cancels the allotment. The department further clarified that the bungalow in question was not designated specifically for the Chief Minister and fell under the General Pool category. Adding another layer of complexity to this situation, the bungalow is currently under investigation by the Vigilance Directorate, inquiring into the source of lavish items found within the property after Kejriwal vacated it. The ongoing investigation necessitates maintaining possession of the bungalow, hindering Atishi's occupancy, the PWD argues.
The AAP's response to this development has been swift and sharply critical of the BJP-led central government. Atishi herself downplayed the importance of the official residence, emphasizing her commitment to serving the people of Delhi. Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal, on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), condemned the BJP's actions, portraying it as an act of political retribution stemming from the BJP’s anticipated losses in upcoming Delhi elections. These public statements amplify the broader political implications of the bungalow dispute, framing it as a clash between the AAP and the BJP, rather than simply a bureaucratic snafu.
The entire situation raises important questions about the transparency of government processes, particularly those pertaining to the allocation of official residences. The discrepancy between technical and physical possession, coupled with the ongoing investigation, highlights the complexities of navigating bureaucratic hurdles and the potential for political influence to shape such processes. The clash between the AAP and BJP adds a layer of partisan conflict to what might otherwise be considered a routine administrative matter. The ongoing political maneuvering and public statements suggest this dispute is far from resolved and is likely to remain a significant talking point in the Delhi political landscape for the foreseeable future. The controversy also invites scrutiny of the processes surrounding the allocation and handover of government-owned properties and raises questions about the effectiveness of current regulations.