Trip Down 12, Tughlaq Lane: An Address for RaGa, Power Centre for Congress for 19 Years

Shifting out of your parents’ home is seen as sign of growing up and independence.

When Rahul Gandhi was allotted 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow in 2004 when he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the first time from Amethi, the buzz in the party was that he has shifted out of his mother Sonia Gandhi’s house — 10, Janpath – to emerge as an independent power centre.

Over the years, 12, Tughlaq Lane has emerged as the second power centre to 10, Janpath. Party netas who longed and looked for solution began to arrive at the bungalow.

Many a times, meetings were held here rather than at 10, Janpath to solve issues. Like when the Bhupesh Baghel-TS Singh Deo tug-of-war reached its peak, or when Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot rivalry showed no signs of ebbing.

HOME WORK

This type 8 bungalow, which is the highest in its category, was given to Rahul Gandhi during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. A corner building in a quiet secluded Tughlaq lane, this house was chosen for its huge space and exclusivity. In fact, the entire house was done up by his sister Priyanka Vadra and is simple and basic. It has a gym and few offices that double up as Gandhi’s work space.

Only very close people and family have been allowed to enter his home, while most just meet in his office which is again basic. Journalists have little access, but when he meets them it’s in the sprawling lawns.

But many may have noticed pictures of netas he meets, as the space outside his home is the place for photo ops, the most recent being with Kamal Hassan after the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Gandhi had shifted to this home after a close door Griha Parvesh, which was attended by his immediate family –Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra and Robert Vadra. His close aides were also present.

STARTED SEARCH THE DAY HE WAS DISQUALIFIED

Now after 19 years, Gandhi will let go of this house, as per a notice sent to him by the Lok Sabha housing committee to vacate his official residence within a month.

Sources say Gandhi had begun to look for a house the day he was disqualified and is not going to ask for extra time. His sister Priyanka, too, was asked to vacate her Lodhi Estate bungalow as she was no longer SPG protected and now lives in Sujan Singh Park.

Recently during an interaction, Gandhi had said he had no home and from childhood, since his family had suffered tragedies and political setback, he had to shift homes and never had anything permanent.

The circle is complete now.

A new home will also mean a new political shelter and journey for him. And also, yet another new address for those within the party who still consider themselves close to their leader.

The party, meanwhile, will now make this into another issue against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the alacrity with which he has been asked to vacate​.

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