Priyanka Vadra must leave her Lodhi Estate bungalow
Priyadarshi Dutta26 Apr 2014
Priyadarshi Dutta is an independent researcher based in New Delhi.
Those who live in glass houses, it has been famously stated, should not throw stones at others. PriyankaGandhi Vadra, however, has preferred that risky exercise. She is playing the devil’s advocate against BJP’s allegations regarding her husband Robert Vadra’s fabulous assets. A regime change at the Centre will hopefully lead to an impartial investigation in the matter. This article is not about crony capitalism that Vadra is accused of. It is about ‘crony entitlement’ that Priyanka Gandhi is not being accused of.
Priyanka Gandhi is the occupant of a Government bungalow — 35, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi-110003. It is also the official address of Robert Vadra in his legal documents. As per the official website of Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Urban Development, this type-6B accommodation was allotted to Priyanka Gandhi on February 21, 1997. The registration number is 99907375 and the allotment ID is 243820. But in what capacity has she been occupying the bungalow? Her neighbours are either Members of Parliament or even Ministers of State (MoS). Their allotments are co-terminus with the dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha or retirement from Rajya Sabha. But Priyanka’s allotment status is permanent with an expiry date.
She is neither an MP nor a MoS. She is not a bureaucrat/employee of the state. Curiously her designation is shown as ‘Leader’. But she is not known for holding any post in the Congress either. She loves Rae Bareli and Amethi so much that she campaigns only in those constituencies. But she does not love them so much as to be a permanent residentthere.
It is thus not clear in what capacity Priyanka was allotted to this bungalow. Her motherSonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi, both MPs, have separate bungalows. Sonia’s bungalow at 10, Janpath was allotted to her in her capacity as President of Indian National Congress.
Former Prime Ministers are allotted a Lutyens bungalow during their lifetimes. Under exceptional circumstances that privilege might extend to their widows. But it cannot be extended to their married daughters also. It appears that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra moved into this bungalow in 1997 after hermarriage to Robert Vadra. A rediff.com story by Promila Kalhan (February 19, 1997) tells that couple had been allotted the 35, Lodhi Estate bungalow. The CPWD was still busy in readying it for handing over the possession. It also informs that the Vadra family resided at New Friends Colony, a plush locality insouth Delhi.
Priyanka could have stayed with her in-laws in New Friends Colony house as per Indian tradition. The Government could have only provided her the security cover. A bride generally stays either with her in-laws or separately with her husband. Vadra is now a billionaire (by honest means, says Priyanka) and he can certainly afford that second option. Under exceptional circumstances, a husband can come to live in a bride’s family house. Such a husband is called ghar-jamai in India. But here you have ghar-jamai of the Indian state! The HD Devegowda Government allotted them the bungalow on the occasion of their marriage. A billionaire Vadra is being subsidised by tax-payers’ money to stay in a Government bungalow. It might be for a nominal rent, or just a petty license fee.
Rajiv Gandhi’s death was tragic. Compassion for his family once made sense. But it cannot extend for an indefinite period to his daughter who is also married to a billionaire. This is no place for a family drama! The Government cannot resemble a never-ending soap opera on Star Plus or Sony.
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