Rahul Gandhi asked to vacate his government-allotted bungalow at 12, Tughlag Lane by April 22

GNS ONLINE NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI :–Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been asked to vacate his government-allotted bungalow at 12, Tughlag Lane by April 22, days after he stood disqualified as a Lok Sabha member. According to the rule, a disqualified parliamentarian isn’t entitled to a government accommodation, and is given a 30-day period to vacate the official bungalow.

When Rahul Gandhi was allotted 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow in 2004 when he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the first time from Amethi, the buzz in the party was that he has shifted out of his mother Sonia Gandhi’s house — 10, Janpath – to emerge as an independent power centre.

Over the years, 12, Tughlag Lane has emerged as the second power centre to 10, Janpath.

The Congress leader was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on March 23 after he was convicted for a two-year termina criminal defamation case.

According to the Article 102 1(e) of the Constitution and Section 8(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, when read together, a Member of Parliament can be disqualified if he or she is convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for two or more years. The notice to vacate the bungalow was served by the Housing Committee of Lok Sabha.

Giving immediate bail, the court allowed the former Congress president 30 days to appeal in a higher court. But Rahul Gandhi would not be able to contest elections for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.