New number for Vajpayee’s new house

If the number 13 was lucky for Vajpayee, 8 is considered unlucky. Hence, his new address 8, Krishna Menon Marg is likely to read 6A.

If the number 13 was lucky for Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the number 8 it seems is considered unlucky. Thus, the caretaker PM's new address 8, Krishna Menon Marg is to be changed. It is likely to read 6A, Krishna Menon Marg.

The caretaker PM's office has requested the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to change the number of his new house. Officials said it is being done as people close to Vajpayee believe the house with number '8' is jinxed.

The DMK's late Murasoli Maran was the house's earlier occupant. The house remained vacant after his death in November, 2003. Officials said that this may be reason for the change in number.

CPWD director general (Works) K.N. Aggarwal confirmed that there is a proposal to change the house number. The house, 8, Krishna Menon Marg is adjacent to 6, Krishna Menon Marg, which has the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial.

In what seems a quirk of fate, Dr Manmohan Singh had lived at 8, Krishna Menon Marg when he was finance minister in the P.V. Narasimha Rao-led Congress government between 1991 and 1996.

Vajpayee is expected to shift to the new house in another three to four weeks, as some more time would be needed to renovate it. In 1998, Vajpayee, after taking over as PM in March, could only move into 7, Race Course Road two months later.

The CPWD has taken care to construct ramps at the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow after suggestions from Vajpayee's family and keeping in mind his knee problem. Even the toilets are being specially designed.