The Delhi High Court today directed the Centre to take an expeditious decision on providing a temporary office space for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, so that the party can carry out its operations.
A single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad directed the Centre to take a decision regarding it within six weeks. The High Court remarked that the AAP was entitled to a house from the General Pool category and mere non-availability of a place cannot be a ground to reject the political party’s plea. The court added that mere pressure or non-availability is no ground to reject the plea.
Earlier, the Supreme Court in March asked the AAP to vacate its office near Rouse Avenue by June 15. The top court had passed the order after finding that the land on which the AAP office was located, had been allotted for expansion of judicial infrastructure.
Previously, the AAP had filed two petitions in the High Court seeking allotment of suitable land in the national capital to construct its national and Delhi state unit party offices or a housing unit on a licence basis.
The Court on Monday passed an order on AAP’s plea for temporary accommodation. The party’s plea for permanent accommodation will be heard on July 10.
The party has argued that its national party status makes it entitled to a total area of 1,000 square meters for construction of the offices for its national and state units. The plea underlined that the memorandum dated July 13, 2006 clearly prescribes allotment of land up to 500 square meters to all National parties having up to 15 Members of Parliament in both Houses.
Furthermore, it also provides for an additional allocation of land up to 500 square meters for Delhi state units where the National Party has representation in the Delhi State legislature. It also submitted that because the Central government has allocated land to other political parties for construction of office premises, it is incumbent upon them to ensure that similar allotment is made in favour of AAP as well.