Bungalow row: Akhilesh asks UP government to return his temple, slams BJP

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today slammed the BJP over reports of damage to the bungalow vacated by him in the state capital, terming it as a "conspiracy" by the saffron party.

"The BJP it is rattled after repeated defeats in a series of by-elections," the SP leader said at a hurriedly convened press conference in Lucknow.

"It is the BJP's conspiracy," he charged.

The bungalow was vacated by the Samajwadi Party leader in compliance with a Supreme Court order that former chief ministers were not entitled to any government accommodation in Lucknow.

Video clips and photos had shown damage to a cycle track, on walls after air-conditioners seemed to have been removed and to the floor of what appeared to be a badminton court at the vacated bungalow.

The former CM said that he had made the constructions in the house and was free to take those things along while leaving.

The huge property vacated by the Samajwadi Party chief was found with a mess after the keys were handed over to the state property department. A major portion of the bungalow was found dismantled including floor fittings. The electronic appliances were also found uprooted which created a huge political controversy.

Bungalow occupied by Akhilesh Yadav earlier. (Photo: India Today)

Among other things damaged and missing, it was found that all the imported bathroom fittings like taps, showers were removed from all bathrooms before vacating the house. Clarifying on this, Akhilesh said: That house was being allocated to me, so I got the construction work carried out accordingly. But all the taps were intact when we left. In a dramatic stance, Akhilesh also pulled out a faucet mentioning that he is willing to return all the missing faucets if UP government gives him a number.

Photo shows damaged badminton court inside Akhilesh's bungalow. (Photo: India Today)

Samajwadi Party leader alleged that two officers were sent on behalf of Yogi Adityanath to damage the property and his image.

Return my temple

Attacking CM Adityanath, Akhilesh said that BJP is unable to accept defeat in Gorakhpur bypoll. He said that though the decision to vacate government bungalow was taken by the Supreme Court, BJP government is taking advantage of the verdict and conspiring to malign him.

He demanded that there is a very beautiful temple that he got constructed in his former bungalow 4 Vikramaditya Marg, which should now be given back to him.

Earlier, Akhilesh had said that the Yogi Adityanath government is trying to keep the people stuck in petty issues like houses and bungalows, while not remedying the larger problems that are being faced by the people.

ALSO READ: Send list of things missing from bungalow, I'll buy it, Akhilesh says

Governor seeks action against Akhilesh

In a letter to Yogi Adityanath , Governor Ram Naik on Tuesday said reports of bungalow damaged at 4, Vikramaditya Marg in Lucknow which Akhilesh occupied is doing rounds on media and among the people.

"This a serious matter. The bungalows allotted to the former chief ministers belong to the state property department and is maintained from tax payers money. The government needs to take proper action over this matter after investigation," wrote Naik in the letter.

Watch: Akhilesh Yadav leaves govt bungalow in shambles

(With inputs from PTI)