With 19 members in the Lok Sabha, the Trinamool Congress is the Congress?s biggest ally in UPA-II. Reason enough for the government to go all out to ?accommodate? Mamata Banerjee. Even if it means allotting a Type-VIII bungalow in Lutyen?s Delhi for her party office.
At present, Mamata?s residence at C-4, M S Flats on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, also serves as the party office. As per the rules, the Trinamool?being a regional party?is allowed only a small office accommodation in V P House.
The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, headed by defence minister AK Antony and comprising five other Cabinet ministers?all belonging to the Congress?used its discretionary powers to allot a Type-VIII bungalow to the party. Type-VIII bungalows are usually allotted only to ministers and top government officials.
According to clause IV of the guidelines on allotment to national parties, office accommodation can be given to state-level parties recognised by the Election Commission of India ?provided it has, in the opinion of the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, adequate representation in Parliament and its case for allotment is approved by the CCA on its merit?.
Sources said the Trinamool Congress had applied for the accommodation on February 24 this year. The allotted bungalow is at 1B, Maulana Azad Road, barely half-a-kilometre from Congress president Sonia Gandhi?s residence at 10 Janpath. The bungalow (house ID 334856, allotment ID 404047) has a built-up area of about 400 square metres. Allotted for a period of four years, the Trinamool Congress will have to renew the lease in 2014, around the time of the next General Elections. Usually, such houses are allotted for three years.
The CPWD has been engaged for renovating the bungalow. The party plans to begin functioning from its new office during the Monsoon Session.