When Atal Bihari Vajpayee vacated 7 RCR heavy-heartedly

New Delhi, Dec 24: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee spent more than six decades in national politics and lived in several bungalows in the national capital, but while vacating 7 Race Course Road in 2004 the outgoing PM was very sad. It was because, Vajpayee had never thought that NDA would lose in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. [Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Madan Mohan Malaviya to be conferred Bharat Ratna]

This crucial information came to fore in an RTI querry filed by activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal. The RTI has revealed that while vacating his official bungalow, the outgoing PM had requested to the Urban Development Ministry to rename the residence allotted to him from 8, Krishna Menon Road which was later renamed to 6-A Krishna Menon Road.

Vajpayee's letter to Urban Development Ministry

On May 19, 2004, Ashok Saikiya, the then Additional Secretary in the PMO, wrote to a letter to Urban Development Ministry, in this regard. However, sources say that Atalji wanted to rename his new residence to 7-A.

But, when told that bungalows lying on oneside of the Lutyens' Zone have even names while those on the opposite side carry odd names, then he readily accepted to rename 8, Krishna Menon Road to 6-A.

When 6, Rajendra Prasad Road was a happening spot

Atalji had also spent a lot of time at the bungalow situated at 6, Rajendra Prasad Road. Even during his stint as Foreign Minister in the Janata Party regime, Atalji lived at the same venue which was frequented by his friends from Gwalior to Kanpur.

6, Rajendra Prasad Road was a happening spot for as long as Atalji lived there. Poetry and sweets were the topics on which he used to discuss with his buddies at length. Books of several poets were launched from this venue and Atalji used to take utmost care that every guest gets a chance to taste delicacies from Bengali Market or Gole Market.

6, Rajendra Prasad Road is currently occupied by senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP Murli Manohar Joshi. This bungalow is just in front of Press Club.

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