Eviction in Lutyens to continue despite resistance

NEW DELHI: Despite facing stiff resistance, authorities are determined to vacate residences in Lutyens' zone in Delhi occupied by former ministers and ex-MPs in order to provide accommodation to current MPs.

An official of the Urban Development Ministry today said that they faced resistance from a group of supporters of former aviation minister Ajit Singh at his 12 Tughlaq Road residence yesterday.

The eviction team, comprising Urban Development ministry officials and Delhi police personnel, immediately left the place after that, he said.

Asked about the next step, the official said we will approach the former minister again to seek his cooperation in getting the house vacated.

"Apart from Tughlaq Road incident, the eviction team had faced resistance at a few other places also. But we will continue to do our job despite the resistance," he said.

It is learnt that the Tughlaq bungalow has been allotted to Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

Once the house is vacated, it will be made ready for Sonowal, the official said.

Besides Singh, 13 ex-MPs including former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, are yet to vacate their houses.