Modi government resorting to 'petty politics', says Congress

New Delhi: Congress on Friday charged the Narendra Modi dispensation with resorting to “petty politics” by asking the party to vacate four government bungalows including its sprawling headquarters at 24, Akbar Road following cancellation of their allotment. [caption id=“attachment_2112439” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road. AFP[/caption] A senior leader, who declined to be identified, remarked “it is not kosher” meaning thereby that ‘it’s not done.; It’s not acceptable. You can’t do that! It’s not cricket!’. Suggesting that the matter involved a major political party and should not have been handled like this, the leader said that the issue should have been sorted out by sitting across the table and not by leaking some information to the media. “This is nothing but petty politics,” he said when asked whether it was proper for the government to resort to such action ahead of the Budget session of Parliament when the ruling side needs support of opposition in passage of several bills. AICC Treasurer Motilal Vora on Thursday said the party has received a notice from the Urban Development Ministry for vacating the four bungalows in its possession that also include 26, Akbar Road; 5, Raisina Road and C-II/109, Chanakya Puri. 24, Akbar Road has been the party’s headquarters since 1978 while 26, Akbar Road is the office of Congress’ frontal wing Seva Dal and 5, Raisina Road houses Youth Congress and NSUI(I) offices. The Chanakyapuri bungalow is being used as a residence. Vora said the party has replied to the notice. The Ministry of Urban Development directed Congress that it pay penal fee till the bungalows are vacated. In a statement, it said that as per the policy on Allotment of Land to Political Parties for building their own party offices, Congress Party was required to vacate in June, 2013 the four bungalows that are in its possession. The Ministry said this is because Congress Party was handed over possession of land at 9-A, Rouse Avenue in June, 2010 and as per the policy it was required to vacate the four bungalows within three years, that is, June, 2013, which was not done. The Ministry of Urban Development last month has informed Congress Party that the said allocation has been cancelled with effect from June, 2013 and it will be charged “damage rate of license fee” from that month for the said bungalows till they are vacated, as per the policy. Subsequently, Congress party made a request seeking further three years time to vacate these bungalows, it said. PTI