Evicted', says Atishi; BJP says she never moved in

Delhi chief minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged the central government "evicted" her from the 6, Flag Staff Road bungalow, a claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed and said she had not taken possession of the property -- the latest twist in a slugfest over the contentious Civil Lines residence that has become one of the focal points of the upcoming assembly elections.

- Alok KN Mishra and Paras Singh

NEW DELHI:

The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) withdrew the allotment of the 6, Flag Staff Road bungalow arguing that Atishi, who was appointed chief minister in September last year, failed to take "possession of the house almost three months after it was offered".

Former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal occupied the house till October 4 last year, when he stepped down from his position.

In a letter sent to Atishi on Monday, PWD offered the chief minister two alternatives - bungalow number 2 at Raj Niwas Lane, Civil Lines, and bungalow number 115 at Ansari Road, Daryaganj.

However, Atishi hit out at the Delhi PWD and central government, saying she was "thrown out" of her official residence for the "second time in three months".

"The elections in Delhi have been announced today (Tuesday). On the night before the announcement of Delhi's elections, the central government led by the BJP - once again - for the second time in three months, threw me out of my official residence, which is the chief minister's residence allotted to me in my capacity as chief minister," she said during a press conference.

"If needed, I will come and stay at the homes of the people of Delhi and keep working for the people of Delhi...," she said.