The Indian National Congress is preparing for a significant organizational shift as it has been served notices to vacate its long-standing national headquarters at 24 Akbar Road and the office at 5 Raisina Road. According to senior party officials, the deadline for vacating these premises is March 28. The 24 Akbar Road bungalow has served as the nerve center of the Congress party since the era of Indira Gandhi, witnessing decades of pivotal political developments and historic decisions.
Legal Strategies and Administrative Maneuvers
According to leaders familiar with the matter, the party is currently evaluating all available legal avenues to address the vacation notices. There are plans to approach the government for an extension of the deadline. Simultaneously, the party is exploring the possibility of allotting the premises to senior leaders such as Ashok Gehlot or Digvijay Singh, should they be elected to the Rajya Sabha. Such an allotment would legally allow the party to maintain a presence at the location through its senior parliamentarians.
Historical Evolution of the Congress Headquarters
The journey of the Congress headquarters reflects the trajectory of Indian politics. Before independence, Anand Bhavan in Allahabad was the primary center. Post-1947, the headquarters moved to New Delhi. Following the party split in 1969, the Indira Gandhi-led faction moved from 7 Jantar Mantar to a temporary setup at Windsor Place. In 1971, the office shifted to 5 Rajendra Prasad Road before finally settling at 24 Akbar Road in 1978, which became synonymous with the party's identity for over four decades.
Transition to the New 'Indira Bhavan'
In anticipation of the relocation, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the party's new headquarters, 'Indira Bhavan', in January 2025. C. Venugopal. The new facility is designed to house the party’s expanding administrative and digital infrastructure, marking a transition from the traditional bungalows to a modern corporate-style political office.
Significance of the New Organizational Hub
During the inauguration of Indira Bhavan, Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the new headquarters is built on the principles of democracy, secularism, and social justice. Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the building represents the values of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Jawaharlal Nehru, while as the party prepares to leave 24 Akbar Road, the move signifies the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the 140-year-old history of the Indian National Congress.