Even as supporters of RLD chief Ajit Singh turned violent after he was asked to vacate his government bungalow, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the former Union Minister was given ample time to vacate the bungalow.
Refuting Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s allegation that the eviction notice was issued “ex parte” and in an “unceremonious and discourteous” manner, Mr. Naidu said the government had “complied with due process of law.”
On the demand — raised by Mr. Singh and his supporters — to convert the bungalow into a memorial in the name of the former Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Mr. Naidu said the government had “banned conversion of official bungalows into memorials.”
Mr. Hooda too, had written to Mr. Naidu on Wednesday, suggesting the bungalow be converted into a memorial for Ch. Charan Singh, who had moved there in 1978.
“Hon’ble Supreme Court…in July, 2013 had suggested not to allow any general pool residential accommodation to be converted into memorials,” Mr. Naidu said, in his reply to the Haryana CM.
He also said all former ministers who were not members of the 16th Lok Sabha, were given a month to vacate official accommodation.
Subsequently, cases of unauthorised occupants were referred to the designated authority under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 for necessary action, he said.
“[For] bungalow no.12, Tughlak Road, which has been under the occupation of Shri Ajit Singh, similar due process of law has been followed. Hence, it is not correct to say that an ex parte eviction order was issued to him,” Mr. Naidu wrote.
The New Delhi Municipal Corporation had cut the power and water supply on Sunday.
In retaliation, Mr. Singh’s supporters went on the rampage on Thursday in Ghaziabad, threatening to snap the water supply to the national capital.
PTI adds:
Days after >power and water supplies to his official residence were disconnected , RLD chief Ajit Singh on Thursday said he would vacate his government bungalow by next week but claimed people want the house to be converted into a memorial of his father, late Charan Singh.
The former Union minister also slammed the BJP for lack of “courtesy” saying though he cannot stay in the residence after ceasing to be a minister or a lawmaker, he should have been given time to vacate after he informed the government of his plans to leave by September 24.
“After BJP lost power in 2004, several of its leaders continued to occupy bungalows meant for ministers. When I have already informed them that I would leave by September 24, what was the need to cut power and water supply? I had written to the government seeking four months time to vacate the house.
But there has been no response,” Mr. Singh said.
