The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that Atishi was removed from the official residence vacated by Arvind Kejriwal just two days after she moved in. The dispute between the AAP and the central government over Atishi’s eviction intensified on Thursday, with Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal claiming that the BJP was attempting to seize the chief minister’s house because it could not secure the position itself. Atishi stated that the BJP could keep the bungalow if it wished, as AAP leaders “reside in people’s hearts.”
In a series of criticisms directed at the BJP, Atishi accused the party of employing various tactics, including ‘Operation Lotus’—a term used by opposition parties to describe allegations that the BJP lures and bribes MLAs to form governments in states it has lost—to obstruct the functioning of the AAP-led government in Delhi.
“The BJP is anxious because it cannot defeat us in elections. When they fail to form a government, they resort to ‘Operation Lotus’, followed by imprisoning our leaders. Since they couldn’t establish their own chief minister, they are now contemplating seizing the chief minister’s residence. If this gives them comfort, they are free to proceed,” she remarked in Hindi.
“We did not enter politics for luxurious cars and grand bungalows. If necessary, we will govern from the streets. The BJP can enjoy the bungalow; we reside in the hearts of the people,” she added.