Before moving out, Mayawati 'names' UP govt's bungalow after mentor

As the 15-day deadline for former UP chief ministers to shift out of their official bungalows nears, Mayawati put up a board at her official residence on Monday, naming it 'Shri Kanshi Ramji Yaadgaar Vishram Sthal', in memory of political mentor and Bahujan Samaj Party founder, Kanshi Ram.

Mayawati's move has perplexed many since she has already started the process to vacate the bungalow 13-A, Mall Avenue, and move into another palatial one, 9, Mall Avenue, which is located at a stone's throw away. The naming of the official bungalow is being interpreted as a political move and an attempt to retain it one way or the other.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has written to the Estate Department seeking time to vacate his 4, Vikramaditya Marg, bungalow, while his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, too, is reportedly scouting for a new private residence. Builder-turned-Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Seth is likely to gift him a palatial house, constructed over 11,000 sq ft, in posh Vipul Khand.

The Estate department has made it clear that all the former chief ministers who have occupied government bungalows will have to vacate them as per the Supreme Court order.

"There is a procedure to be followed for allotment of government accommodations. No one has the power to self-allocate any government house," said a senior Estate Department official, while responding to a query about Mayawati's bid to retain her bungalow by declaring it a guest house in the name of Kanshiram.

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh is also vacating his Mall Avenu residence. His luggage and personal belongings will be shifted to his grandson and minister Sandeep Singh's government house. The Union Minister Rajnath Singh was the first to begin the shifting process on Sunday. He is moving to a small 2,100 sq ft house in Vipul Khand.

Of the 6 chief ministers who have been served notices by the Estate Department, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to move into his private residence in Gomti Nagar. Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, too, has announced he will soon vacate his bungalow 2, Mall Avenue.

(With Agencies)