The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is entitled to office space in the capital like other political parties. The court directed the Centre to make a decision on the matter within six weeks.
A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad emphasized that “pressure” or lack of available housing in the general pool cannot justify rejecting the request.
“They are entitled to a house from the general pool. Mere pressure or non-availability is no reason to reject because pressure is always there and houses have always been allotted to political parties,” stated the court.
The Aam Aadmi Party is seeking allocation of space for its office by the Centre due to its recognition as a national party. With the deadline for vacating its current office in Rouse Avenue approaching on June 15, the party’s counsel argued that a unit on Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg, currently occupied by one of its city ministers, should be temporarily allotted to them.
Court’s Stance on Property Claim
Justice Prasad, however, stated that the party cannot assert entitlement to the DDU Marg property. The judge added that if the Centre rejects AAP’s representation, the party can take appropriate legal steps.
Last year, the AAP approached the court seeking either land allocation in the national capital for constructing its office or temporary allotment of a housing unit on a licensing basis. The petition for land allocation is pending in the high court.
In March, the Supreme Court granted AAP time until June 15 to vacate its Rouse Avenue office, noting that the land was allocated to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure.
AAP’s Argument for Equity
The AAP party argued in court that since land has been allotted to all other national parties for office premises in central locations in New Delhi, it is imperative for them to ensure a similar allotment to AAP in line with its entitlement as per the Centre’s policy.
