People want bungalow to be converted into memorial for Chaudhury Charan Singh: Ajit Singh

Days after power and water supplies to his official residence were disconnected, RLD chief Ajit Singh today 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," Singh told PTI. He said that when there can be memorials for leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Kanshi Ram, there can be one for his father, former Prime Minister Charan Singh also.

"It is the wish of the people that 12 Tuglak Road be converted into a memorial. After all, Chaudhury sahib lived here for 36 years," he said. He claimed that a housing tribunal issued an ex-parte order asking him to vacate the house. "Since it is a quasi-judicial body, I would have got a stay from the high court against an ex parte order. But since I have no plans to live here anymore, I did not approach a higher court... I told them that I am hunting for a house and would move out after 'pitra paksha' (period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors)," he said.

Responding to agitation against his eviction orders, the former Union minister said it has been organised by Kisan Union and other bodies. "The government should be sensitive to their demand. It should open a dialogue with them. They see it as Charan Singh's house," he said. Thousands of RLD supporters today took out a march towards Muradnagar and pelted stones at police during a protest against the eviction notice and in the subsequent police baton charge, at least 18 people were injured.