New Delhi, March 26, IPU Media Update News: The Central Government has issued notices demanding the vacation of the bungalow housing the Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road in Delhi. The Directorate of Estates has ordered the Congress party to hand over the bungalow which serves as the congress party’s headquarters to the government by next Saturday. Additionally, a separate notice was issued requiring the Youth Congress headquarters, located at 5, Raisina Road in Delhi, to be vacated by the 28th of this month. In fact, the Congress party recently established “Indira Bhavan” at Kotla Marg in Delhi to serve as its party office; however, it continues to conduct its operations from the old headquarters. For nearly 48 years, this bungalow on Akbar Road has served as the venue for the Congress party’s major events and activities. Congress leaders maintain that they are paying rent at market rates for the bungalows housing their offices in Delhi. Congress MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that the party intends to challenge the notices issued by the Centre in court. A senior Congress leader categorically stated that there is absolutely no question of vacating the two bungalows.

A senior Congress leader explained that the party shares a deep emotional bond with this office—an integral part of the party’s illustrious history—to such an extent that the very mention of “Congress” immediately brings to mind 24, Akbar Road. In fact, the Congress party made considerable efforts to retain possession of these bungalows. Congress sources stated that their attempts to persuade the Centre to allocate the bungalow currently serving as the party’s office to their MPs proved unsuccessful.

— M Venkata T Reddy, News Editor and Investigative Journalist