Gujarat BJP leaders C R Patil, Ratnakar allotted government bungalows, while LoP denied one

Gandhinagar is witnessing a letter war between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress over allocation of government bungalows. 

The controversy stems from the fact that after becoming the BJP state president, C R Patil was allotted a government bungalow in Gandhinagar. Additionally, BJP general secretary Ratnakar also lives in a government bungalow. However, when Leader of the Opposition Amit Chavda requested a Type A bungalow on rent at commercial rates, the government outrightly refused, sparking a dispute.

Allegations are being made that the state government is acting with bias in the allotment of government bungalows. Since 2020, a Type A bungalow has been allotted to BJP state president  Patil. However, the department name of the official must be mentioned before allocating the bungalow. In Patil’s case, his office has been shown as ‘Kamalam’ (the BJP headquarters).

The same type of bungalow allotted to Patil has also been allotted to high-ranking officers, including Inspector General of Police Nirja Gotru, Deputy Inspector General Archana Shivhare, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests K N Randhawa, and Additional Director General of Police Mayanksinh Chavda. Despite a formal request by Congress leader Chavda to the chief minister, the government refused to allot him a bungalow even on rent at commercial rates.

Chavda has alleged that if an investigation is conducted into who has been allotted government housing and who currently resides there, shocking revelations may come to light. He pointed out that several residences have directly been given to party leaders. For example, BJP leader Ratnakar is living in a government bungalow, and there should be an inquiry into under what grounds.

The controversy stems from the fact that while BJP leaders are being favoured with government bungalows, the opposition leader is being denied even a rented one.

Notably, when Paresh Dhanani was leader of opposition, Babu Bokhiria, despite not being a minister, refused to vacate a bungalow. The government had to eventually intervene and forcefully vacate the premises to provide it to the opposition leader. The issue of government housing allotment has sparked a direct confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.