NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi's reinstatement as MP after four months of legal battles has infused the Congress and the opposition coalition with no small amount of political energy. Rahul, who came to the Parliament accompanied by slogans raised by MPs of INDIA unity, has not been returned his official residence as a representative of the people yet.

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the post of MP on March 24 after receiving the maximum sentence in the criminal defamation case. The Congress leader had vacated his official residence at Delhi's Tughlaq Lane within days of the Lok Sabha Secretariat's order. Later till date, Rahul Gandhi resides in Sonia Gandhi's residence at Janpath Road 10. At present, the bungalow at Tughlaq Lane has not been allotted to anyone else. Therefore, if Rahul Gandhi applies, it will be allotted to him again.

Congress started their attempt to get Rahul's official residence back after the MP position was restored. Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had raised the issue of Rahul's official residence before the Housing Committee. He was ready to apply in the absence of the former Congress president, but it is reported that he received a reply that Rahul Gandhi himself should apply legally.

Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification today morning restoring Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary membership. Rahul Gandhi is returning after 137 days. Last Friday, the Supreme Court stayed the sentence in the defamation case. Then there was protest from Congress over the delay in restoring Rahul Gandhi's MP post.