The Congress party’s presence in Delhi’s Lutyens' zone could come to an end as it has received a formal notice to vacate its office at 24, Akbar Road, which had served as its headquarters for nearly five decades until last year. According to the notice, the party must vacate the premises by March 28.
In a related development, a second notice has been issued to the party, asking it to vacate the Indian Youth Congress office at 5, Raisina Road.
Congress MP and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi has condemned the move, calling it "illegal and politically motivated". He said the party would explore all available legal options to challenge the decision.
The Akbar Road office, which Congress has occupied since 1978, was the party’s headquarters until the inauguration of its new head office, Indira Bhavan, at Kotla Marg near ITO last year. While most of the party's operations have since moved to the new location, the Akbar Road office has been retained due to its symbolic and political importance.
During the inauguration of Indira Bhavan by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, several senior leaders had expressed their emotional attachment to the old office. Reports indicate that Congress has been paying market rent for the sprawling bungalow at Akbar Road.
The party is now preparing to challenge the eviction notice in court. "We would want to retain both addresses. They are part of our legacy," a senior Congress leader told The Times of India.