NEW DELHI, Sept 19:
Hardening his stand on the issue of eviction of Ajit Singh, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said government was bound by rules and questioned why the RLD leader or Congress did not convert the house into memorial for Charan Singh when they were in power.
The Urban Development Minister insisted that there was no political vendetta involved in the decision to evict Ajit Singh from government residence. With Ajit Singh’s supporters clashing with police in Gaziabad yesterday when they were stopped from cutting water supply to Delhi, Naidu made it clear that such “threats” were unacceptable and will find little support among people.
“No question of discourteous behaviour at all. I do not believe and my government does not believe in political vendetta. There is no politics involved in eviction I am not against personally anybody.
“I am governed by rules and regulations and procedures which were well established and laid before we assumed power,” the minister said on the controversy over move to evict RLD leader Ajit Singh, who wants it to be converted into a memorial for his father, a demand rejected by the government.
“As far as I am concerned, there is no political vendetta involved here. Charan Singh was a respected leader. I used to admire him a lot because he was a farmers’ leader,” Naidu said here and asked why Ajit Singh did not take any step to convert the house into a memorial when he was a Union Minister.
Taking a pot shot at RLD, Naidu said, “If people are so concerned about having a memorial in the name of Charan Singh then who prevented them in the last 37 years after his demise. Making charge against the government is unfair and I hope that people understand the reality.
“Government has decided 14 years ago that no official bungalow will be converted into memorials. We are in government for three months only. Ajit Singh was an important Minister at the Centre in the previous government.”
With Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too supporting Ajit Singh’s demand, the Minister hit back saying, “those Congressmen who are advising me on memorials, they were in the government for 50 years. In the last 10 years when they were in the government they did not do anything on it.
“Charan Singh has died 37 years ago. In these 37 years nothing was done and now it is not fair to accuse us.”
He said politically motivated criticism is not right. “It is not proper to use Charan Singh’s name for this and had he been alive, he would not have also approved of it.”
RLD supporters have threatened to disconnect water connection to Delhi after the NDMC snapped water and power supply to the former Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh’s 12 Tughlaq Road residence which he has refused to vacate though he is no longer eligible to occupy it.
Responding to the agitation by RLD supporters, Naidu said, “Because we did not allow unauthorised stay in the government bungalows, I do not think people will appreciate it. If they are threatening that they will stop the water to Delhi citizens. People will not appreciate it.”
The Ministry has asked the NDMC to disconnect water and power connection to 30 houses occupied by former Ministers and ex-MPs after serving eviction notices.
“I also belong to a farmer’s family and I have highest regard for leaders like Charan Singh and Devi Lal,” Naidu said.
Referring to the apex court’s observation, he said, “Supreme Court also in a case has observed that government bungalows should not be converted into memorials. So there is an SC observation and secondly the 14-year old policy of the government and thirdly those who were in the government did not take any interest in the subject.”
He further said “As far as Ajit Singh is concerned he is my friend. He had met me earlier and sought time to vacate the bungalow. He was given the time. Government acted after 80 days of giving time because there was no other alternative. It was not for Ajit Singh only. Action was taken against all including members of BJP, Congress and other parties also.”
Explaining his Ministry’s role, Naidu said “As a Minister I only decide on houses from the general pool. For Lok Sabha MPs, Lok Sabha Housing Committee is responsible and for Rajya Sabha MP, Rajya Sabha Housing committee does the allotment. My responsibility is to allot houses for ministers, judges, top Defence brass and tribunal chiefs.”
On the issue of bungalow alloted to BJP president Amit Shah, he said it was as per rules. “Political parties which have certain representation in Parliament are entitled for government accommodation.”
Asked about the memorials allowed in the name of Babu Jagjivan Ram and Kanshiram, Naidu said, “Those were done in the past and nothing has been done after our government has come to power.”
Naidu said government has carried out the eviction procedures in a “most civilised manner” by disconnecting power and water connection.
“Action was taken after giving enough opportunities and time to vacate. We have exhausted more than 80 days after serving one month notice. Government was compelled to take action against those who are unauthorisedly staying at government houses,” he said
Responding to the accusation that government was discourteous, he asked, “Living in houses unauthorised, is it courteous?
“Ajit Singh was given enough . Moreover, it is quasi-judicial process. The Minister does not give order in this as a system has been evolved over the years. I have not made any rules I have only followed the rules. This was for all people and no discrimination was shown.” (PTI)
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