Rahul Gandhi bungalow row: The difficulties seem only mounting for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi soon after he was disqualified as a Member of Parliament. On Monday, Gandhi was asked to vacate the government bungalow at 12, Tughlaq Lane by April 22. Now, a new twist has emerged where the New Delhi Municipal Council asked the Congress leader to obtain a non-objection certificate (NOC) before vacating his official bungalow.
Notably, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which looks after water and electricity supplies in these Central Public Works Department bungalows, has marked a copy of the Lok Sabha Housing Committee's letter asking Gandhi to vacate his accommodation.
What NDMC says
"Our role is not related to property but civic amenities. We look into water and electricity supplies in the area Before vacating the bungalow, Rahul Gandhi will need to take a NOC (no-objection certificate) from the NDMC," the civic official said.
A local court in Gujarat convicted Gandhi in a criminal defamation case on March 23 and sentenced him to two years in jail. The two-year jail term triggered his disqualification as a Lok Sabha member from the date of the verdict.
The notification for Gandhi to vacate the bungalow was marked to various departments, including the Directorate of Estates. A senior official said a disqualified Lok Sabha member has to vacate the official bungalow within a month of losing his membership.
Sources said Gandhi can write to the Housing Committee seeking an extension, and the panel can take a decision depending on the validity of the reasons cited by him.
(With inputs from PTI)
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