Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday morning termed as "fake news" a report by a news agency that she had requested the Narendra Modi government to retain her bungalow in Delhi's Lodhi Estate for some time.
A news agency had reported on Monday that Prime Minister Modi had agreed to Priyanka Gandhi's request. The report claimed, "when the matter [of Priyanka’s bungalow] was brought to Modi's notice, he said that her request most certainly be accepted".
Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, "This is FAKE NEWS. I have not made any such request to the government. As per the eviction letter handed to me on the 1st of July, I will be vacating the government accommodation at 35 Lodhi Estate by the 1st of August."
The Central government's letter to Priyanka to vacate the Lodhi Estate bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi had triggered muted protests from the Congress. The Centre had asked Priyanka to vacate the Luyens residence, saying she is not entitled to the facility following withdrawal of her SPG protection last year.
There have been reports that Priyanka could shift base from Delhi to Lucknow as she continues her attempts to revive the moribund Congress in Uttar Pradesh. However, the Congress has been evasive on the issue.
Interestingly, Business Standard recently reported that a bungalow in Lucknow's Gokhale Marg is being renovated for Priyanka. The bungalow belonged to late Congress leader Sheila Kaul, the maternal aunt of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Priyanka's grandmother. There had been speculation previously that Priyanka could move in to the residence of Sheila Kaul. Business Standard reported on July 12, "The renovation of the property is under way, encompassing painting of walls, cleaning, and other necessary repairs befitting the new entrant’s stature and requirements."