Lutyens bungalow for Jagan Reddy

NEW DELHI: Jaganmohan Reddy, son of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, might have lost the race for the CM’s post but in New Delhi,

the first time Member of Parliament has been allotted a huge bungalow in the posh Lutyens Zone.

Though Jagan failed in his bid to become the chief minister, sources said the directorate of estates under urban development ministry has offered him a Type VII bungalow — 26, Lodhi Estate.

Generally, Type VI and VII bungalows are allotted to ministers of state or senior parliamentarians.

First-time MPs are entitled to apartments in VP House, North Avenue, South Avenue and in multi-storey flats at Bishwambhar Das Marg. However, there are deviations from the rulebook as some first-time MPs like Sachin Pilot and Jitin Prasad continued to retain the bigger bungalows allotted to their fathers.

The allotment of a bungalow at 26, Lodhi Estate for Jagan has raised many an eyebrow. The move could also be an indication of a “bigger” role for YSR’s son in central politics.

However, if one goes by the category and size of bungalow allotted to Jagan, he is likely to settle for a minister of state portfolio in the Union Cabinet and may not get Cabinet rank. According to officials, Cabinet ministers, irrespective of their tenure as parliamentarians, are entitled to Type VIII bungalows.

The higher category allotment to Jagan was made by the UD ministry taking a Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA) route. “Out-of-turn or above entitlement allotment needs approval from CCA,” said an official.

There were reports that Congress high command has decided to take Jagan into the Manmohan Singh Cabinet as part of a compromise formula arrived at by the Congress leadership to let K Rosaiah continue as the chief minister.

Political fortunes decide where politicians stay in the Capital. Ram Vilas Paswan, who had not vacated his Type VIII bungalow — 12, Janpath — next to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence even after losing Lok Sabha polls in May, has been issued eviction order.