A delegation of Bhujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Friday, 25 May, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, claiming that the sprawling bungalow party chief Mayawati has been asked to vacate, was converted into a Kanshi Ram memorial in 2011.
The delegation said Mayawati occupied only two rooms in the bungalow.
The BSP had installed a board on 21 May at the government bungalow, terming it 'Shri Kanshi Ram Ji Yadgar Vishram Sthal' after Mayawati was served notice to vacate it as per a Supreme Court order.
The order applies to six politicians who were allotted official accommodation in Lucknow as former chief ministers, including Mulayam Singh yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister rajnath Singh.
The BSP delegation, led by party's national general secretary Satish Misra, said the 13A, Mall Avenue bungalow which Mayawati has been asked to vacate was turned into a memorial through a Cabinet decision on 13 January 2011.
“The notice that has been served is for vacating 13A, Mall Avenue which is not allotted in her name,” Misra said.
But no notice has been given for moving out of 6, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg which was allotted to her as a former chief minister, he added. Misra said Mayawati occupied only two rooms at 13A, Mall Avenue and if she vacated the premises, those rooms would also become part of the memorial.
But he added the party has requested that she be allowed to stay on in that small portion of the premises, the major part of which has a library, murals, statues and other articles related to the Bhaujan Samaj Party founder.
He said if a notice is served to vacate the second bungalow, Mayawati will adhere to it.
About 13A, Mall Avenue, an Estate Department official had earlier said, “As per our knowledge, the bungalow was allotted to Mayawati in her capacity as a former CM. But since a board has come up there in the name of Kanshi Ram ji, we will look into our records."
The Supreme Court had on 7 May said former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a CM was on a par with a common man once his or her term ends.
Following the order, the UP government on 17 May issued notices to Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh and Akhilesh Yadav to vacate the bungalows.
While Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh indicated their willingness to do so, the others have expressed reluctance.
N D Tiwari's wife Ujjwala Tiwari sought more time, pleading that her husband was in the "last stages" of his life.
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav have written to the Estate Department seeking two more years at their official residences.
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