LG informs president Murmu of Atishi oath

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has forwarded a communication to President Droupadi Murmu proposing September 21 as the date for the swearing-in of Chief Minister-designate Atishi. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will give up all government facilities, including security, and move out of his official residence in 15 days to live like a commoner, a day after he tendered his resignation.

The first thing Kejriwal talked about after submitting his resignation was his decision to leave the official residence of the Delhi chief minister, senior party leader and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said at a press conference here.

According to rules, Kejriwal has to vacate the official bungalow within a month of his resignation. Unlike other states, Delhi has no official Chief Minister residence and previous Chief Ministers have lived at different locations. As per the party source, after leaving his official residence, Kejriwal and his family will stay in Delhi, and a search for suitable accommodation for them is underway.

Kejriwal’s bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road, in Civil Lines and AB-17 on Mathura Road — bungalows that currently house Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and chief minister-elect Atishi, respectively, are in the spotlight after the former decided to resign from the post of CM following his release from jail. The bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road, has been under the scanner and dubbed by opposition as “Sheesh Mahal” for alleged spend of Rs 45 crore on upgrades and renovations. The BJP has been alleging the official bungalow, whom the party calls 'Sheesh Mahal', was renovated by Kejriwal using crores from the exchequer's fund and against government rules. The 'Sheesh Mahal' scams, along with the alleged liquor scam had become a rallying point for the saffron party to try to dent Kejriwal's image in the last couple of years.

Singh had said that Kejriwal would vacate the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow in a week, AAP later clarified that the outgoing chief minister and his family would do so in 15 days. A search is on for suitable accommodation for Arvind Kejriwal and his family, Singh had said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a post on its official X handle, “Setting an example of honesty and sacrifice Arvind Kejriwal will leave the CM residence and also give up the government security.” Singh said Kejriwal would give up all the facilities provided to him as the Delhi chief minister, including the official residence, vehicles and security, and live like a “common man”.

Apart from a rent-free official residence, Kejriwal, as the Chief Minister of Delhi, was entitled to several other government facilities including, a higher salary than other MLAs, free medical treatment, tight security, travel reimbursements and 5,000 units of free electricity per month.

Kejriwal used to travel in an old blue Wagon R car even when he became the Delhi chief minister for the first time in 2013. The AAP leader said there are concerns about Arvind Kejriwal's security as well and he was “attacked several times” in the past.

“He has old parents, his wife, and his children. We are all worried about their safety. We tried to explain to him that his security was at risk. Still, he has decided to move out,” Singh said. “Kejriwal said he was in jail for six months among dreaded criminals and God protected him and will continue to do so,” Singh added.

The AAP MP said the BJP has been levelling “false allegations” of corruption against Kejriwal to defame him. “Had Kejriwal been a 'typical thick-skinned' leader, he would not have bothered about it and continued to occupy the chair. We know the condition of other leaders. If they get any facility, they continue to enjoy them for years after resignation and fight for keeping official residence but Kejriwal has decided that he will vacate his house,” he said. Now the people of Delhi have to give their verdict on Kejriwal's honesty, Singh said.