Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was reinstated as Lok Sabha MP following the Supreme Court’s stay on his conviction in the “Modi” surname case, is likely to be re-allotted his old home— the official government bungalow at 12, Tughlaq Lane in New Delhi.
According to Housing Committee sources, the house is vacant and the Wayanad MP is likely to get back the bungalow where he stayed for 19 years before his Lok Sabha disqualification.
“Mera ghar poora Hindustan hai,” said the Congress leader when asked to comment on the development.
Rahul Gandhi was allotted12, 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 March 24, 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.
Last month, the Gujarat High Court refused to stay his conviction in the case. However, on August 4, the Supreme Court stayed Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the Modi surname case paving the way for him to return to the Parliament.
Addressing an election rally in Karnataka’s Kolar in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi as the common surname?”
This type 8 bungalow, which is the highest in its category, was given to Rahul Gandhi during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. A corner building in a quiet secluded Tughlaq lane, this house was chosen for its huge space and exclusivity. In fact, the entire house was done up by his sister Priyanka Vadra and is simple and basic. It has a gym and few offices that double up as Gandhi’s work space.
Only very close people and family have been allowed to enter his home, while most just meet in his office which is again basic. Journalists have little access, but when he meets them it’s in the sprawling lawns.