The Akbar Road bungalow has functioned as the Congress headquarters for nearly 48 years. Even though the party inaugurated its new headquarters, Indira Bhavan, last year, it has persisted in utilizing the older premises.
Alongside the Raisina Road location, these properties have played a crucial role in coordinating party activities and decision-making in Delhi.
The Estate Department has sent a notice to the Congress party requesting them to vacate the office at 24 Akbar Road by March 28: Congress sources
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2026
A senior leader in the party mentioned that the notices were received recently, leaving little time for a response. Congress leaders indicated that they are considering legal options and may approach the courts for relief or to delay the eviction.
“We are exploring all legal avenues. This time, the government seems more aggressive,” a leader familiar with the situation informed India Today.
The party is also mulling administrative alternatives, such as requesting a brief extension to rearrange the allotment.
One idea being discussed is to have the bungalow allocated in the name of a senior Rajya Sabha member, which could facilitate continued usage. This would necessitate swift legal and political maneuvers before the deadline.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi has condemned the decision. He labeled it as ‘illegal and politically motivated,’ asserting that the party would challenge it legally, as reported by Times of India.
“The BJP government does not uphold democratic principles. It is regrettable. Once we receive the notice, we will deliberate and take action,” Congress MP Pramod Tiwari told ANI.
Party officials stated that Congress has been paying market rent for the Akbar Road bungalow. They also mentioned that efforts were made after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to have the property assigned to a senior MP, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
Party MP Imran Masood remarked, “The government believes it can silence Congress by applying pressure. They should not attempt to intimidate us. Have they managed to secure the BJP office at 11, Ashok Road or at Pant Marg?… Because they have failed to address the Iran war, they are trying to divert attention from this issue…”
The Akbar Road location is of historical significance. During the colonial era, it was the residence of Sir Reginald Maxwell, a member of Lord Linlithgow’s Executive Council.
In the early 1960s, it served as the home of Daw Khin Kyi, Myanmar’s ambassador to India. Her daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, spent part of her childhood there.
The property gained prominence in the late 1970s following the split in Congress after its 1977 electoral loss.
Indira Gandhi utilized the bungalow as a base for her faction, which eventually spearheaded the party’s revival. It continued as the Congress headquarters through the tenures of Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh.
