The Lok Sabha Secretariat has asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to vacate his official bungalow on Tughlaq Lane by April 22, following his disqualification as an MP last week. The notice was issued on Monday, three days after the Lok Sabha Secretariat announced his disqualification in a defamation case. The letter stated that Rahul Gandhi could retain the bungalow along with its units for a maximum period of one month, under the same terms and conditions applicable to an MP before disqualification.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party, with Deputy Leader Pramod Tiwari alleging that it showed the BJP’s hatred towards Rahul. Tiwari explained that Rahul Gandhi comes under ‘Z’ plus security category, and could continue to stay in the same house by paying rent at market rates after the 30-day time period. Congress party’s Rajya Sabha Whip Syed Nasir Hussain said that the BJP attempts to silence the voices of dissent, and this “witch hunt was not unexpected”.
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification and subsequent notice to vacate the bungalow have added to the ongoing political tensions between the Congress party and the ruling BJP. It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the political landscape in the coming days.