The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has requested the Union government to provide Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi and current national convenor of AAP, with a government accommodation. Despite his resignation, party officials argue that this is essential for effective operations, as Kejriwal does not own a home. They emphasized that this request is about necessity, not privilege, given that other national party leaders have similar accommodations. The demand has sparked criticism from opposition parties. BJP spokesperson Praveen Kapoor and Congress leader Devender Yadav expressed skepticism, questioning the timing and motives behind the request, suggesting it contradicts Kejriwal’s recent vow to relinquish privileges.
A day after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal announced he would leave his position as Chief Minister of Delhi, the party made a request for an alternative government accommodation typically available to heads of national political parties. AAP emphasized that this request is “not a matter of privilege but a necessity.”
Even though Kejriwal has stepped down from his role as Chief Minister, he still serves as the national convenor of AAP. Under Indian law, national parties are entitled to office space and government housing for their leaders. AAP, now recognized as a national party, is seeking the same provisions granted to leaders of other national parties, citing that Kejriwal does not own a home.
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha addressed the media, asking the Union government to allocate a government accommodation for Kejriwal. He pointed out that, despite being CM for over ten years, Kejriwal does not own any property. Chadha insisted that such resources are essential for the running of a national party as they facilitate meeting with thousands of visitors, handling correspondence, and engaging with the media.
Chadha highlighted that other national party leaders, like BJP’s J P Nadda and Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge, have official accommodations, and he urged the government’s quick response to AAP’s request without political bias.
The request has drawn criticism from opposition parties, with BJP spokesperson Praveen Kapoor questioning the sudden change in AAP’s stance after Kejriwal had been praised for vacating government privileges. Similarly, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav termed the request surprising, suggesting it could be a tactic for Kejriwal to continue exerting influence from the Chief Minister’s residence.
As the political drama unfolds, AAP’s demand for accommodation continues to stir debate among party leaders and their opposition.
Tags: Arvind Kejriwal, AAP, Delhi politics, government accommodation, national party, opposition criticism, Raghav Chadha.
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Why does AAP want a government residence for Kejriwal?
AAP believes that as the head of a national party, Kejriwal should have a government residence for security and to perform his official duties effectively. -
Is Kejriwal currently living in a government residence?
No, Kejriwal is currently living in a private house, which AAP claims is not suitable for his role. -
What does the government say about this request?
The government has not officially responded to AAP’s request yet, and it is unclear if they will agree to it. -
How is this situation affecting Kejriwal’s work as Chief Minister?
AAP argues that not having a government residence makes it harder for Kejriwal to manage his responsibilities and interact with officials. - Will this request affect Kejriwal’s position in the upcoming elections?
It’s uncertain, but AAP hopes that providing a government residence will help Kejriwal focus on his work and strengthen the party’s position in future elections.
