india

Updated: Jun 29, 2019 15:54 IST

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s move to vacate her official residence within a month of the swearing-in of the new government is winning her applause on the internet.

Swaraj, a veteran BJP leader, who didn’t contest the Lok Sabha polls and is not a minister in the NDA 2.0 government, tweeted Saturday morning to say she was no longer contactable at her “official residence” as she had moved out.

“I have moved out of my official residence 8, Safdarjung Lane, New Delhi. Please note that I am not contactable on the earlier address and phone numbers.” Her tweet read.

I have moved out of my official residence 8, Safdarjung Lane, New Delhi. Please note that I am not contactable on the earlier address and phone numbers. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 29, 2019

Followers on Twitter congratulated her for setting an example for other politicians ‘who have to be driven out’ of their official bungalows.

अन्य पार्टी वालों को कोर्ट का सहारा लेकर मकान से खदेड़ना पड़ता है, और आप स्वयं खाली कर के जा रही हैं.... इसे कहते हैं संस्कार और समर्पण — Janardan Mishra (@JBMIS) June 29, 2019

Another follower said Sushma Swaraj will be missed as “the most dynamic woman politician of the country.”

We will miss your charismatic presence in the Government. Best of health and luck to the most dynamic woman politician of the country. — Arvind Mahajan (@mahajanarvind17) June 29, 2019

“We will miss your charismatic presence in the Government. Best of health and luck to the most dynamic woman politician of the country.”

In one of the more interesting reactions, ‘Ek Senani’ BN Sharma, with twitter handle @BholaNath_BSF wondered if Swaraj’s absence from the current cabinet was purely for health reasons.

“Feel little sad to see a competent minister leaving all of a sudden. Hope it is only for health reasons & carries no political meanings & differences when we find it identical with @arunjaitley ji. Both were important during Vajpaiji-Advaniji era & considered very close to them.”

Narendra Modi government last month appealed to all former lawmakers to vacate their official houses to accommodate 267 first-term MPs.

Union Cabinet also cleared The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2019 earlier this month on June 12 - to be introduced in the current session.

The proposed bill does away with time consuming processes like serving notice, show cause and inquiry, allowing the estate officer to initiate summary eviction. It also provisions for steep penalties. Anybody overstaying beyond five months, for instance, will have to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh.

Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav had made headlines last year for seeking 2 years time to vacate the official bungalow he occupied in Lucknow.

Another former UP CM and BSP chief Maywati was criticised for converting her official residence into a memorial for her mentor and BSP founder Kanshi Ram.