When the apex court decided that a law allowing former UP CMs to continue residing in their official bungalows was to be scrapped, the Yogi government took swift action. It sent notices to every former CM occupying government bungalow in Lucknow. The two former BJP Chief Ministers, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh, were quick to respond and have already started the process of vacating the bungalows. BSP chief Mayawati put a sign outside her house declaring it to be a memorial to Kanshi Ram, a ploy she has used in the past as well.
The father-son duo of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, who have run the state for many years and continue to have some standing in the political circles, have stooped to new levels of shamelessness. They have approached the Supreme Court of India so that they can continue to illegally squat the taxpayer funded bungalows. They have made all sorts of excuses, from security concerns to old age, but nothing that has anything specific to do with the bungalows. Akhilesh Yadav in his plea made a feeble excuse, saying, “We are requesting the Supreme Court to grant us sufficient time to make arrangements for a suitable alternate accommodation, taking into consideration the security of the petitioner and his family members.” Mulayam Singh Yadav also made a similar excuse, “Grant us sufficient time to make arrangements for a suitable alternate accommodation, taking into consideration the security of the petitioner, age and ill health.” Currently, these two former CMs occupy prime government properties in the high-security VVIP zone in the state capital.
Earlier, Akhilesh had even claimed that he was unable to find an apartment in Lucknow and also gave lame excuse that he has not been able to build a house for him.
I am still looking for a flat on rent in Lucknow. I have not been able to build a house for myself so far: Akhilesh Yadav on seeking 2 years to vacate official bungalow. https://t.co/JQJlKZeiOk pic.twitter.com/MuY0fZNKZN
— ABP News (@ABPNews) May 22, 2018
Now, Akhilesh Yadav has challenged the media to “find him a place.” He stated, “We are ready to vacate but we need more time, both netaji (Mulayam Singh) and I don’t have any place to live in Lucknow. If you can find a place for us let us know.”
He is making excuses worse than a school kid who didn’t complete his homework. Akhilesh Yadav should try magicbricks, oyo rooms, olx etc. or he should apply for Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana.
They should have vacated the government bungalow without creating any scene to set the precedence for others. Today they are playing cheap tricks, tomorrow someone else will play it. Whatever they are doing is a condemnable act.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court, in a major ruling quashed an amendment made by Uttar Pradesh state government legislated during the rule of Akhilesh Yadav led SP government which allowed permanent accommodation to former Chief Ministers. The SC has said that former CMs cannot occupy government accommodation after their term comes to an end, as this is a blatant violation of existing laws. SC ruled that such legislation is “arbitrary, discriminatory and unsupported by the constitution”. SC also observed that “Public office becomes history after a person demits the office and it cannot be the basis for giving government residential accommodation for rest of his life.” The Court, while striking down the amendment, further observed that the provision in the Act, recognizing former holders of public office as a special class of citizens violates the fundamentals of equality. It is illegal, unprincipled and not supported by any constitutional sanctity. On these grounds, SC has struck down Section 4(3) of UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. Even after the Supreme Court’s strict rebuke, the conduct of these two former CMs to latch on the public funded luxury is nothing short of shameful.
