Cong Committee sees political conspiracy behind LMC notice

The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) senses a political conspiracy as it works out a reply to Lucknow Municipal Corporation’s (LMC) notice, asking the party to provide all relevant documents about the ownership of the ‘Nehru Bhawan’ that has housed the UPCC headquarters since December 3, 1979.

“This appears all political and deliberate,” said UPCC president Raj Babbar without elaborating.

As prime minister the late Indira Gandhi had inaugurated the UPCC headquarters in the building on December 3, 1979.

A plaque bears testimony to it and the notice has become a talking point in the political circles here.

“Yes, moves questioning ownership of Nehru Bhawan are a part of political conspiracy. We will give a point to point reply to the notice,” said UPCC spokesman Veerendra Madan.

The LMC has sent the notice in name of senior Congress leader and former UPCC president Mohsina Kidwai after a local businessman Manish Agarwal claimed ownership of the Nehru Bhawan building situated at 10-Mall Avenue here.

“At present building number 6/ 10 Mall Avenue is registered in the name of Mohsina Kidwai. Manish Agarwal has submitted an application for mutation along with documents claiming that Ram Swaroop Agarwal (Manish’ grandfather) had bought the building in an auction on April 29, 1961,” read the notice.

“My grandfather Ram Swaroop Agarwal and his cousin Purusottam Das had bought the building in an auction in 1961. This building remained in our family’s name from 1970 to 1986. I have attached papers with my application to support my point,” said Agarwal.

“The land records after 1986, however, show inclusion of Congress (I), Mohsina Kidwai and Jawahar Lal Nehru Trust. I am a businessman and not associated with any political party,” he added.

The UPCC, on the other hand, claimed that as president Kidwai had bought the building in January 1979 and that UPCC headquarters had been functioning there since December 1979.