Delhi CM's car denied entry to L-G house, AAP terms it an insult

New Delhi: Terming it an insult to the chief minister, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday claimed that Arvind Kejriwal’s vehicle was not allowed inside the Raj Niwas, the lieutenant-governor’s (L-G) official residence.

The Delhi police, however, said according to “protocol and space constraint”, no vehicles of the Delhi government were permitted inside the Raj Niwas premises.

L-G Anil Baijal had invited the chief minister and other dignitaries for “At-Home” function at Raj Niwas ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

AAP’s chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that similar “humiliation” was meted out to Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

“The L-G continues to lower the dignity of his post. Personally, it doesn’t matter if the CM’s car is stopped and his invitation is checked by the police and is then told that his vehicle cannot go inside (Raj Niwas) and ask him to walk.

“Even Pakistan did not treat (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi in such a manner as is being done by his representatives with the CM,” Mr Bharadwaj tweeted.

He alleged that junior officers of the Delhi government and “premium guests” were allowed to enter Raj Niwas in cars.

Mr Kejriwal’s media adviser Nagendra Sharma alleged that the L-G has insulted the Delhi chief minister.

“Delhi L-G insults CM @ArvindKejriwal. The L-G had organised a programme at Raj Niwas for Republic Day celebrations.

“Though vehicles of several others were allowed inside L-G House, CM & Dy CM were forced to alight outside and kept waiting for a few minutes by the L-G security (sic),” Mr Sharma tweeted.

Official sources said former chief minister Sheila Dikshit attended the ‘at-home’ function and her vehicle was also stopped because of “space constraint”.

They said such arrangements are made every year when the L-G invites dignitaries for the “At-Home” function.

“Today also, during at home function at Raj Niwas, no vehicle of any officer of Govt. of India or GNCTD was permitted. There was no delay on part of security in letting in the Hon’ble CM and any misinformation to this effect is baseless,” the Delhi police said in a tweet.

“The at-home function at Raj Niwas is a solemn occasion celebrated every year to commemorate the Republic Day. As per established protocol, convention, and because of space constraint, no vehicles of Delhi Government are permitted inside,” it said in another tweet.

However, Bhardwaj asked the police to release the CCTV footage of the Raj Niwas entrance so that it could be ascertained whose vehicles were let in and who were asked to walk.