New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday agreed to vacate the government accommodation after a notice was sent to him by Lok Sabha secretariat following his disqualification as an MP after he was convicted in the 'Modi-surname' case.
"As an elected Member of Lok Sabha over last 4 terms, it is the mandate of the people to which I owe the happy memories of my time spent here. Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course, abide by the details contained in your letter," Rahul Gandhi wrote to Deputy Secretary, MS Branch, Lok Sabha Secretariat over the notice to vacate his govt bungalow.
The former Wayanad MP was disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha on Friday last week after he was foung guilty in a 2019 defamation case by a Surat court for his 'Modi-surname' remarks made during 2019 poll campaign.
Rahul Gandhi was given a sentence of two years in prison by the court in the defamation case brought by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for his alleged remark, "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname."
After living for 12 years in his 12 Tughlaq Lane bungalow, Rahul agreed to vacate it, while having the option to request the Housing Committee for a longer stay, which the panel could look into.
Rahul Gandhi had moved to this bungalow located in Lutyen's Delhi in 2004, when he first won his Lok Sabha election from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. In 2019, he lost the Amethi seat but won from Kerala's Wayanad and hence retained the bungalow which is in the highest "Type 8" category.