Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma to move into APJ Abdul Kalam's Rajaji Marg bungalow

NEW DELHI: Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has been allotted the bungalow of former President APJ Abdul Kalam here.

Kalam was staying at the 10 Rajaji Marg residence after his eventful term as President ended in 2007.

"I have been allocated 10 Rajaji Marg by the Urban Development Ministry and I have accepted the offer," Sharma, who has been staying at his own residence in Sector 15, Noida, told PTI.

Asked about the demand from friends and supporters of Kalam to convert the Rajaji Marg residence into a memorial, Sharma said, "It is the government's policy not to convert any Lutyen's bungalow into a memorial. RLD leader Ajit Singh had also demanded converting the Tughlaq Road residence of his late father Charan Singh into a memorial but the demand was not accepted."

The former President's house has to be vacated by October 31, 2015 and his belongings, which includes numerous books and his Veena, have been shifted out to his home town Rameshwaran in Tamil Nadu.

"I am getting an official accommodation after 11 months. Earlier I was allotted 7 Tyagraj Marg but I could not move there as it was not vacated by the earlier occupant," Sharma said.