A day of political churn and irony unfolded for AAP chief and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. On Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party supremo moved out of a government bungalow on Ferozeshah Road, earlier allotted to Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, and shifted into a Type-VII residence at Lodhi Estate.
Centre Allots Accommodation After Court Directions
The Centre allotted the accommodation after court directions, citing his position as AAP chief. Hours after Kejriwal vacated the Ferozeshah Road residence, Mittal resigned from AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The timing gave the episode a political contrast. Kejriwal left a house linked to a party colleague, who exited the party the same day.
Details of the Move
Kejriwal said the new residence was allotted after recent directions from the Delhi high court. He stated that he had moved in with his family. The allotment dates to October, but the shift took place this week after renovation work. Kejriwal had earlier stayed at 6, Flag Staff Road during his tenure as Delhi chief minister. After he stepped down in September 2024, he moved into Mittal’s allocated residence. He stayed at Mittal’s bungalow for over a year.
Mittal's Exit Part of Wider AAP Departures
Mittal’s exit formed part of a wider set of departures from AAP. He joined other Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, who also moved to the Bharatiya Janata Party. This development dealt a political jolt to AAP. With the numbers crossing the two-thirds mark required under anti-defection provisions, the group avoided disqualification. The move also strengthened the BJP in the Rajya Sabha and altered the balance in the Upper House.
Impact on AAP's Stability
The development comes at a sensitive time for AAP, which faces key electoral tests, particularly in Punjab, its only state government. The exits have raised questions within the party about internal stability and the influence of nominated Rajya Sabha members who lack strong grassroots bases.
Sharp Reactions from AAP Leaders
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann called the defectors “gaddars” and accused them of abandoning the party for political gain. He said their relevance would diminish outside the party framework. Mann claimed the BJP harbours a deep-seated dislike for Punjab. He pointed to the withholding of rural development fund (RDF) and accused it of failed attempts to make a breakaway group of AAP MLAs. “The BJP cannot win in Punjab but indulges in tikdam baazi (manipulation),” he alleged.
