NEW DELHI: Lush bamboo trees, white walls and sprawling lawns. These are the first things that strike you as you enter 24 Akbar Road, which has been the address of the Congress for four decades. The party is now packing its bags to move to a new address. 9A Kotla Road.
The similarity in circumstances of both the occasions cannot be ignored. For the last 47 years, the party has been operating from 24, Akbar Road premises. It was the cold month of January when Indira Gandhi reunited the party after Partition and the Congress office moved to 24 Akbar Road. Then it was a story of turmoil after the situation that emerged after the Emergency. Now, as the Congress shifts in January 2025, it faces the same challenges that Indira Gandhi faced after losing the elections in 1977. The party is in opposition today, having recently lost elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, and is a smaller version of what it was when it was last in power in 2014. Related StoriesCongress shifts headquarters after 48 years. It is a watershed moment in the history of the grand old party.
For those who cover the Congress party, like us, the Akbar Road office is a treasure trove of stories and news. Its location is impeccable. Behind the bamboo tree is a small gate that leads to 10 Janpath, where Sonia Gandhi lives. It has long been the gateway to power. Across the road is the Air Force building and now a new Gujarat Bhavan has come up as well. Not too far away is the house of the late former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
This is considered to be a watershed in the 139-year history of the Congress. Many big leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Working Committee members, former Chief Ministers, Union Ministers and MPs were present on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Congress office. It has been named ‘Indira Bhavan’. A total of 400 big leaders of Congress were present on the occasion of inauguration. The new headquarters of Congress is named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which symbolizes the continued mission of the Congress party to uphold the vision of the stalwarts.
A release issued by the party said that as the party that led India’s freedom movement under the leadership of stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel, Congress has remained steadfast in its dedication to building a modern democratic and equitable India. Indira Gandhi Bhavan has been designed to meet the emerging needs of the party and its leaders, with modern facilities to support administrative, organizational and strategic activities. This new building will help in further smoothening the functioning of the party. Also, it will inspire the younger generation of leaders. The Congress party hopes that this new headquarters will give new energy and direction to the party. It will be interesting to see how ‘Indira Bhavan’ shapes the future of Congress.
At the event, party leaders hoisted the party flag at the new headquarters and sang Vande Mataram and the national anthem. After this, Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the building and asked Mr. Kharge to join her in cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the building. Party general secretary Venugopal said “It is time for us to move with the times and embrace the new.” The construction of Indira Gandhi Bhavan started when Sonia Gandhi was the Congress chief.
“Located at 9A, Kotla Road, New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi Bhawan has been designed to meet the evolving needs of the party and its leaders. “This iconic building reflects the far-sighted vision of the Congress party, while also paying tribute to its extraordinary past, which has shaped the political and social fabric of India.”
The party will, however, not vacate its current 24, Akbar Road office, which has been its headquarters since 1978 after the formation of the Congress (I), and will continue to house some of its cells.
The construction of the new headquarters was delayed for several years due to “paucity of funds” since the Congress lost its government at the Centre. The BJP has not vacated its old party headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road even after moving to its new headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.
Congress old-timers agree that the emotional connect and unfolding history attached to the 24, Akbar Road address will always remain strong. The Akbar Road bungalow was once home to Sir Reginald Maxwell, who was a member of the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s Executive Council. It was also home to a teenaged Aung San Suu Kyi in 1961 when her mother was appointed ambassador to India. Built on sprawling lawns, the complex has witnessed the tenure of seven Congress presidents.
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