NEW DELHI: A day before the model code of conduct took effect, the Centre cleared a three-year-old proposal for allotment of additional 2 acres in the heart of Delhi to BJP for its headquarters.On March 9, a day before Election Commission declared election dates, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) issued a draft notification for changing land use of 2.189 acres at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg from ‘group housing’ to ‘public and semi-public facilities’.The plot, 3B DDU Marg , is across the road to BJP’s swanky headquarters, 6A DDU Marg. With the notification of change in land use the government settled the allotment process initiated in 2015. BJP will pay Rs 2.08 crore for the 2 acres.According to land allotment rules for political parties framed by the UPA government in 2006, a party with 101 to 200 MPs in Parliament is entitled to 2 acres.If a party has more than 200 MPs, it is entitled to 4 acres. The rules, however, do not mention what happens if a party’s tally goes down in subsequent polls.With increased strength in May 2014, BJP was entitled to 4 acres, of which 2 acres at 6A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg was already allocated.For two more acres, the land and development office (L&DO) had zeroed in on the current property. However, contours of the plot had to be changed because of physical hurdles on the ground level and final allotment was 6% more than total entitlement.The final allotment would be 2.22 acres, instead of 1.98 acres.Official documents ET has reviewed shows that the allotment was recommended by the land allotment screening committee under the housing ministry in February 2015 and L&DO allotted a 2-acre plot to BJP. In July 2016, BJP wrote to L&DO saying, “physical possession of complete plot is not possible due to ground level problems” and requested change in dimensions.In September 2016, the screening committee once again considered the case and chose one option from three. It required invoking discretionary powers by the urban development minister as the land was in over the permissible 4 acres.As the government entered election mode, the proposal to change land use was taken in December 2018. A meeting of DDA, chaired by LG Anil Baijal, cleared the proposal on February 21 and 25. The draft notification was put for a public notice on March 9.