A year after he resigned as Delhi Chief Minister and moved out of the government bungalow in Civil Lines, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has finally been allotted a Type-VII bungalow in Lodhi Estate by the Union government, The Indian Express has learnt.
As the convenor of a national party, Kejriwal is entitled to a government-allotted residence in Delhi. Due to the delay in allotment by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry’s Directorate of Estates, the AAP leader had moved the Delhi High Court. The government informed the court on September 25 that it would allot a residence to Kejriwal in 10 days.
On Monday, it is learnt, the government allotted 95, Lodhi Estate, which as a Type-VII bungalow is the second largest category of government residential accommodation, to Kejriwal.
After resigning from the post of Chief Minister in September last year, Kejriwal had in October moved out of 6, Flagstaff Road, which had been his official residence as Chief Minister for most of his tenure. He has been staying at the government bungalow allotted to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal since then. Alleged irregularities in the renovations to 6, Flagstaff Road had led the BJP to attack the AAP over what it termed was a “sheesh mahal”.
While a July 2014 policy of the Directorate of Estates says presidents or convenors of national parties are eligible for accommodation, it does not specify the type. Kejriwal’s advocate, however, had argued in the High Court that historically Type-VII bungalows are allotted to national party presidents.
“Today, they can’t relegate me to a Type VI. What is appropriate? I want specifics… I’m not the favoured one, I’m not the BSP for you… but please be fair in your policy…” senior advocate Rahul Mehra had argued. He was referring to BSP president Mayawati, who had been allotted 35 Lodhi Estate as a residence.
Maywati had moved out of 35, Lodhi Estate in May this year, about a year after it was allotted to her. Before that, she was allotted 29, Lodhi Estate as her official residence, but in February 2024 the government changed the allotment, giving it to the BSP as its office.
