Ram Vilas Paswan’s bungalow to be new residence of Kovind after he retires as President
NEW DELHI: The bungalow where former minister Ram Vilas Paswan stayed till his death is set to be the new residence of President Ram Nath Kovind after his retirement from the country’s highest constitutional post next month.
Sources said renovation is in the full swing in the 12 Janpath bungalow in the heart of the capital. Kovind is expected to move into the bungalow on July 25. TOI has learnt that Kovind’s family has not made any special demand during the ongoing renovation work.
“This is one of the biggest bungalows in Lutyen’s Delhi. The earlier structures adjoining the main bungalow are being cleared. We are carrying out only normal renovation,” a government source said.
Kovind’s new neighbour will be Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who lives at 10 Janpath.
Earlier there was an informal offer for Paswan’s younger brother and a current Cabinet minister, Pashupati Kumar Paras to occupy that bungalow. But he had politely turned this down. Later, it was officially allotted to railway and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. But after a long wait as the bungalow was not vacated, the government allotted another house to Vaishnaw.
TOI has learnt that initially three bungalows were shortlisted for Kovind after his retirement, including 12 Janpath. As per the rule, the government allots bungalows falling under the biggest category to former Presidents and prime ministers.
