Anything to keep a house? Former UPA minister's supporters threaten to cut off water supply to Delhi

New Delhi: Days after power and water supplies to his official residence were disconnected, RLD chief and former UPA minister Ajit Singh said he would vacate his government bungalow by next week but claimed people want the house to be converted into a memorial of his father, late Charan Singh.

The former Union minister also slammed the BJP for lack of "courtesy" saying though he cannot stay in the residence after ceasing to be a minister or a lawmaker, he should have been given time to vacate after he informed the government of his plans to leave by September 24.

"After BJP lost power in 2004, several of its leaders continued to occupy bungalows meant for ministers. When I have already informed them that I would leave by September 24, what was the need to cut power and water supply? I had written to the government seeking four months time to vacate the house. But there has been no response," Singh said on Thursday.

He said that when there can be memorials for leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Kanshi Ram, there can be one for his father, former Prime Minister Charan Singh also.

"It is the wish of the people that 12 Tuglak Road be converted into a memorial. After all, Chaudhury sahib lived here for 36 years," he said.

He claimed that a housing tribunal issued an ex-parte order asking him to vacate the house.

"Since it is a quasi-judicial body, I would have got a stay from the high court against an ex parte order. But since I have no plans to live here anymore, I did not approach a higher court... I told them that I am hunting for a house and would move out after 'pitra paksha' (period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors)," he said.

Responding to agitation against his eviction orders, the former Union minister said it has been organised by Kisan Union and other bodies.

"The government should be sensitive to their demand. It should open a dialogue with them. They see it as Charan Singh's house," he said.

Thousands of RLD supporters took out a march on Thursday towards Muradnagar and pelted stones at police during a protest against the eviction notice and in the subsequent police baton charge, at least 18 people were injured.

Ajit Singh supporters lathi charged by the police in Ghaziabad pic.twitter.com/4klqlqAwmJ

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 18, 2014

(Earlier today): Police uses water cannons to disperse RLD workers protesting in Muradnagar pic.twitter.com/joUSrAafTI

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 18, 2014

Singh’s supporters threatened to stop water supply to Delhi. The protest turned violent at Gang Nahar near Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. Protestors pelted stones at the police, which led to baton charge.

Haryana Chief Minister B S Hooda also supported the RLD chief.

In a letter to Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Hooda wrote, "This is an unceremonious and discourteous act. Memories of former PM CC Singh are associated with this house in which he moved in 1978, since then this house is with his family."

The farmers have been demanding that the bungalow should be converted into Smriti Bhawan in honour of the former prime minister.