Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has made a strong appeal to the central government, requesting the immediate allotment of a government accomodation for AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal. With Arvind Kejriwal set to vacate his Chief Ministerial residence after his resignation, the AAP MP emphasized that this is not a matter of privilege, but a necessity to ensure smooth functioning.
Pointing to AAP’s status as a national party, the senior AAP leader reminded that Arvind Kejriwal, despite leading Delhi for 10 years, does not own a home and urged swift action from the Housing Ministry.
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, says, “Resignation of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has proved one thing across the country — Arvind Kejriwal is not greedy for power, position, or authority. However, yes, there is only one thing he desires, and that is the politics based on ethics and in this country. Prioritizing ethics and dignity, he has chosen to put his honesty to the ‘Agni Pariksha’ (trial by fire).”
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP pointed out that Arvind Kejriwal has never been driven by personal wealth, even after serving as Chief Minister for over ten years. “We live in an era where even an entry-level employee, or a peon, doesn’t resign from their job, clinging onto it tightly. In this age of ‘Kalyuga’ Arvind Kejriwal has set an example by resigning twice in line with ethics and dignity. Once, after a 49-day government, based on ethics, and today, giving importance to dignity,” he affirmed.
The senior AAP leader continues, “No constitution, law, or court asked Arvind Kejriwal to resign, but he has chosen the ‘public court’. Today, an ordinary MCD councilor, after completing a 5-year term, acquires big cars, large houses, and massive properties. There are countless examples you all know of when, during the election campaign, these councilors used to come on scooters, and now they roam around in BMWs or Mercedes and live in bungalows of 2,000-3,000 square yards.
“On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal stands as an example of ethics, honesty, dignity, and purity in politics. Despite being a Chief Minister for more than ten years, Arvind Kejriwal doesn’t have his own house, property, or wealth,” shared Raghav Chadha.
The AAP Rajya Sabha mentioned that due to no personal property or a house, Arvind Kejriwal will move into another house, relinquishing his official accommodation. He will give up all the facilities and perks received by a Chief Minister, and after giving them up, he will face the people’s court. “Because this battle is not about changing power but about changing the system,” he affirmed.
Raghav Chadha further added that the AAP is the fastest-growing political party in the country. Within ten years, we have achieved the status of a national party. The law says that whenever a party becomes a national party, it is granted two provisions. These are not facilities but necessities — first, the party is given an office in the national capital to carry out its work, and the second is government accommodation for the National Convenor.
“Over time, when various political parties have become national parties, their national presidents or convenors have been provided with government accomodations in Delhi. This is mandated by the Election Commission’s law. Today, citing the same law, we request the central government to grant Arvind Kejriwal, after he resigned from his Chief Minister’s post, a government accommodation as AAP National Convenor,” he mentioned.
Raghav Chadha said that the provision of giving these resources to the national parties of the country was made legally because to run a national party, a mechanism and some resources are required. Thousands of people from all over the country come to meet, and write letters, and journalists come to communicate. These provisions are made to accommodate that.
“One of these resources is our party’s national office. When AAP MLAs were elected in Gujarat assembly elections and our vote percentage was good, then our party became a national party. But after a long fight of about two years and the court’s intervention, the central government gave us this office. This time I will request the central government that without any delay and political interference, following the law, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal should be given a government accomodation as a resource. He and AAP have full right over this,” asserted the senior AAP leader.
Raghav Chadha said that there are about 6 national parties in this country. BJP, whose president JP Nadda has been given government accommodation as the national president of the party. Congress Party’s National President Mallikarjun Kharge, BSP President Mayawati, CPM and NPP’s National Presidents have got government accommodation in Delhi. Therefore, we want that being the sixth national party of the country, the AAP should also be provided with the resources that it should get.
“In this context, the AAP is writing a letter to the nodal Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. We will request that Arvind Kejriwal be provided with these resources as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will not have to fight a long battle to get government accommodation and the central government will not take politically motivated decisions. Since Arvind Kejriwal has to vacate his accomodation. Therefore, whatever is our right, it should be given to our party as soon as possible,” affirmed the AAP MP.