New Delhi, May 24 (IANS). Now the political battle has intensified regarding Delhi’s prestigious Delhi Gymkhana Club and its association with the British era. Congress and BJP have come face to face after the Central Government started the process of taking back 27.3 acres of club land.
Congress raised the question that why such a huge land is required for the Prime Minister’s residence, while BJP has called it a decision related to national security and public interest.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya posted a video of Congress leader Surendra Rajput on social media platform ‘X’. In the video, Surendra Rajput was seen alleging that the land of Delhi Gymkhana Club is being taken for the expansion of Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
In the video, Surendra Rajput was also seen asking the question that how much land does the Prime Minister need to live? BJP will have to answer this.
On this, Amit Malviya retaliated and targeted Congress. He said that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10 Janpath is spread over 15,181 square meters while the area of 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is 14,101 square meters. Amit Malviya sarcastically said, “It seems that Sonia Gandhi has sent a note to Surendra Rajput.” He also accused Congress of double standards and politics of privilege.
Delhi Gymkhana Club, started during the British era, is located in Lutyens Delhi, a very posh and VVIP area of the capital. This club has long been considered the favorite place of influential people associated with the corridors of power. The club is located very close to Prime Minister’s Residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had issued an eviction notice to the club management on May 22. The notice said that the central government will take over the possession of the club premises on June 5.
This land located at 2, Safdarjung Road was given on permanent lease to the club in 1918. Now the process of taking back this land and bringing it under the jurisdiction of President Draupadi Murmu has been started.
Citing Section 4 of the lease, the government notice said that if the land is required for a public purpose, the government can take it back. The government said that this decision has been taken to strengthen public security and defense infrastructure.
At the same time, the club management has demanded an immediate meeting from the Ministry so that the situation can be clarified regarding the interests of the members and employees. Additionally, the club administration is also considering challenging this decision in court.
Similarly, the Central Government has also sent a notice to the Indian Polo Association situated in front of the Prime Minister’s residence to vacate the land. There too the government has cited public objectives related to security and defence.
–IANS
vku/pm