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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central government in response to a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), seeking suitable land in the national capital for the construction of its national and Delhi state unit party offices.

The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad directed both the Central government and the Land and Development Officer, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to respond to the petition within six weeks. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on April 23, 2024.

AAP argued that as a national party, it is entitled to a total area of 1,000 square meters for constructing offices for both its national and state units.

The party's plea referred to a Memorandum dated July 13, 2006, which prescribes the allotment of land up to 500 square meters to all national parties with up to 15 Members of Parliament in both Houses. It also allows an additional allocation of land up to 500 square meters for the Delhi state units of national parties with representation in the Delhi State legislature.

The plea emphasized that other political parties have been allocated land for constructing office premises by the central government, and it is essential to ensure a similar allotment for AAP. It pointed out that even the National People's Party, recognized as a National Party in 2019 with only one member each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, received land at North Avenue, New Delhi, for its National Party Office.

AAP argued that the government's denial of land allocation to Delhi's ruling party, even six months after its recognition as a National Party, is arbitrary and discriminatory. The plea contended that such a refusal places the party at a significant disadvantage compared to other national parties and violates the democratic principles of a parliamentary system, hindering the proper functioning of the party in the absence of suitable office premises.

Case Title: Aam Aadmi Party v. Union of India & Anr. (another connected matter)