The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken legal steps to secure an official residence for its national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, in accordance with the entitlements for leaders of national political parties. AAP’s petition was presented before the Delhi High Court, emphasizing that Kejriwal, as a national party president, fulfills the criteria necessary to warrant such an accommodation in the capital.
During the proceedings, Justice Sanjeev Narula called for a response from the Central government, with the next court hearing scheduled for November 26. AAP’s senior counsel argued that despite their formal request on September 20 and a subsequent reminder, the Centre has yet to provide a residence for Kejriwal. This delay prompted the party to move the court.
“There is a national convenor, who is the national president. We want it to be in a centrally-located place,” stated AAP’s counsel, emphasizing the necessity and eligibility for such an accommodation. According to the Guidelines for Allotment of Accommodation from the General Pool to Political Parties, recognized national political parties are entitled to one unit in Delhi for office use at a license fee. Building on this, the counsel argued that the president of a recognized national political party should similarly receive a residential allocation if they do not already own or occupy a house in Delhi under any official capacity.
This legal move follows a June decision by the Delhi High Court confirming AAP’s right to office space in Delhi, leading to their allotment of premises at Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane in Lutyens Delhi. The request for residential accommodation reflects similar entitlements, focusing on Kejriwal’s current lack of an official residence since his resignation as Chief Minister and his subsequent temporary stay at a party colleague’s home near Mandi House.
