Mahesh Sharma gets Kalam’s plum Rajaji Marg bungalow

Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has been allotted the bungalow of former President APJ Abdul Kalam in the national Capital. Kalam was staying at 10 Rajaji Marg after his eventful term as President ended in 2007.

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

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 to 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 hometown 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.