Congress faces March 28 deadline to vacate Akbar Road office

The Indian National Congress, a prominent opposition party, has been served an eviction notice by the government's Estate Department, mandating the vacation of its historic headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, along with the Indian Youth Congress office at 5, Raisina Road, by March 28, 2026. This development, reported widely across Indian media, is poised to become a significant political flashpoint. The notices stem from established government policy that prohibits political parties from retaining multiple government-allocated properties in the Lutyens' Bungalow Zone once they have been provided with land for a permanent office and have constructed one. The Congress party inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art headquarters, 'Indira Bhavan,' at 9A, Kotla Marg, on January 15, 2025. According to the rules of the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, once a permanent office is allotted or constructed, any prior or temporary government accommodation must be vacated. This is not the first instance of the government urging the Congress to vacate these premises. Historical records show that the Congress was allotted land at 9-A Rouse Avenue in June 2010 to construct its new headquarters. As per the policy, the party was required to vacate its general pool bungalows within three years of taking possession of the new land, meaning by June 2013. However, the party failed to do so. In February 2015, the Ministry of Urban Development had issued similar notices, reminding the Congress of its obligation and even imposing a 'damage rate of license fee' from June 2013 for the continued occupation. The Congress had then sought an extension, citing the need for time to obtain various permissions for building its new office. The 24, Akbar Road bungalow has served as the nerve centre of the Congress party for approximately 48 years, becoming an address synonymous with its history and legacy. It became the party's headquarters in 1978 following a split in the party, with Indira Gandhi leading a breakaway faction. The sprawling bungalow has witnessed numerous pivotal moments in Indian politics, including the party's Lok Sabha victories and the tenures of several party presidents. Before becoming the Congress headquarters, the bungalow had a rich history, housing figures like Sir Reginald Maxwell during the British Raj and Daw Khin Kyi, Myanmar's Ambassador to India, whose daughter Aung San Suu Kyi spent several years there. The adjacent 5, Raisina Road bungalow houses the Indian Youth Congress and NSUI offices. Congress leaders have vehemently opposed the eviction notice, labelling it as 'illegal and politically motivated.' Senior Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood, have alleged that the move is an attempt by the government to 'silence' the opposition and create undue pressure on the party. They question why similar rules are not applied uniformly to other political parties, specifically mentioning the BJP's former office at 11, Ashok Road. The party leadership is currently exploring all available legal options, with reports suggesting they may approach the courts to seek a stay on the eviction order. A team led by Rajya Sabha MP and senior Supreme Court lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi is reportedly examining the matter. Despite the inauguration of 'Indira Bhavan' in early 2025, many Congress frontal organizations and departments continued to operate from the older Akbar Road and Raisina Road offices, partly due to emotional attachment and partly to the symbolic significance of the addresses. The move represents not just a logistical shift but also the end of an era for the Congress party's physical presence in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi, a zone deeply intertwined with India's political history. The government's firm stance suggests a more aggressive approach compared to previous instances, making the party's legal and political response critical in the coming days. This development underscores the ongoing political tensions and administrative adherence to regulations governing public property use by political entities in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest