Sonia Gandhi is to shift from her present 10, Janpath house to her new official address, 7, Race Course Road, after Atal Behari Vajpayee finds a suitable accommodation.

Interestingly, the Gandhi family will also retain 10, Janpath and also occupy 7, RCR, as Rahul Gandhi too is an elected member of Parliament.

Sonia has an emotional attachment with 7, RCR as it was here that she got the news of her husbands assassination and received his last remains.

Rajiv Gandhi selected 7, RCR after Indira Gandhi was assassinated in the PMs official residence on 1, Safdarjung Road. Besides, the security paraphernalia and other ceremonial houses, are all on Race Course Road, which is closed to the public.

One bungalow is occupied by the Special Protection Group. It also houses the PMs residence, Panchvati, on 7, RCR.

Recently, the government spent more than Rs 1 crore in refurbishing the road and making it the permanent residence of the prime minister.

Previous occupants of 7, RCR
AB Vajpayee: March 19, 1998-

IK Gujral: April 21, 1997 - March 19, 1998

HD Deve Gowda: June 1, 1996 - April 21, 1997

AB Vajpayee: May 16, 1996 - June 1, 1996

P V Narasimha Rao: June 21, 1991- May 16, 1996

Chandrashekhar: November 10, 1990 - June 21, 1991

VP Singh: December 2, 1989 - November 10, 1990

Rajiv Gandhi: October 31, 1984 - December 2, 1989