Rahul Gandhi Unwilling to Move to Tughlaq Lane, Demands Safdarjung Road Bungalow: Sources

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a member of parliament from Kerala’s Wayanad, refused to accept the re-allotment of the 12, Tuglaq Lane bungalow in New Delhi after he was reinstated as Lok Sabha MP following the Supreme Court’s stay on his conviction in the “Modi” surname case, government sources said.

As per the sources, Gandhi wanted the bungalow at 7 Safdarjung Road as his official residence, however, the government is not keen on allotting the particular accommodation.

The sources also told CNN-News18 that the Congress MP will have 8 days to decide whether he wants to accept the allotment and if not he will have to put his rejection in writing. After this, the 12 Tughlaq Lane bungalow will be open and can be allotted to another MP if the request comes in.

Rahul Gandhi lived in the bungalow at 12 Tughlaq Lane for almost 19 years but had to vacate in April this year after his conviction in a defamation case following which his Lok Sabha membership was suspended.

The Congress leader was allotted 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow in 2004 when he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the first time from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi. Over the years, 12, Tughlaq Lane emerged as the second power centre to 10, Janpath, the residence of his mother Sonia Gandhi.

On April 22 this year, the former Congress chief vacated his official residence and moved to 10 Janpath with his mother. He has been operating from there ever since.

Gandhi was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail by the Surat metropolitan court after finding him guilty in the defamation case filed by BJP MLA from Surat Purnesh Modi. A day later, he was disqualified as a Member of Parliament.

However, on August 4, the Supreme Court upheld Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the Modi surname case paving the way for him to return to the Parliament.