CPM leader Mohammad Salim’s doctor wife has asked for time to vacate her 3,400sq ft flat at Chittaranjan Sishu Sadan.

Rosina Khatun, an anaesthetist who is entitled to a 700sq ft flat, has written to the authorities on Saturday, asking for “a reasonable period of time” to shift.

“She did not mention exactly how long she needs. We usually allow two weeks to shift. We will write to her to know how much time she will need,” said hospital superintendent Ashish Mukhopadhyay.

The authorities said the letter from Rosina, who has been living in the 3,400sq ft flat with Salim and their two sons for decades, was not in response to the one they had sent her asking her to move out so around 60 beds could be added to the space-starved hospital.

“Her letter arrived around the same time ours reached her,” said an official.

On June 13, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had taunted the principal of Chittaranjan Sishu Sadan, Mala Bhattacharya, for complaining about a dearth of beds while allowing someone with “political links” to occupy so much space.

During a visit to the hospital last week, Mamata had enquired whether Rosina had vacated the apartment.

Salim refused to comment on the issue when Metro called him on Sunday.