Rahul Gandhi vacates govt-allotted bungalow, says ‘paying the price for speaking truth’
Weeks after being asked to vacate his official bungalow at Lutyens Delhi post his disqualification as MP, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday vacated the bungalow he was allotted after winning Amethi in the general election in 2004.
The Lok Sabha Housing Committee had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi to vacate his bungalow at 12 Tughlaq Lane by April 22.
Speaking to media after vacating his house, Rahul Gandhi said, “Main sach bolne ki kimat chuka raha hu (I am paying the price for speaking truth).”
Days ago, on April 11, Rahul Gandhi said he wouldn’t be intimidated by his disqualification, adding that he was not “interested to live in that house”.
“MP is just a tag. It’s a position, it’s a post. The BJP can take away the tag, the position, the house, or they can put me in jail. But they cannot stop me from representing the people of Wayanad,” Rahul Gandhi had said in a public rally in Wayanad.
Rahul Ganhi was convicted over his “why all thieves have Modi surname” remark. After the Congress MP was disqualified as an MP, communication was sent to relevant authorities, including the Election Commission.
Replying to the letter, Rahul Gandhi wrote to Mohit Rajan, the deputy secretary at the Lok Sabha secretariat, saying, “Thank you for your letter of March 27, 2023 regarding the cancellation of my accommodation at 12, Tughlaq Lane.”
In his letter, Rahul Gandhi said he owes the “happy memories of my time spent here” to the mandate of the people. “Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course, abide by the details contained in your letter,” he added.
Meanwhile, a Surat sessions court has reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction over the Modi surname remark. The court has reserved its order after hearing arguments from all parties.
