New Delhi: Two senior Congress leaders, Gurdeep Sabal and Madhya Pradesh MLA Pravin Pathak, met Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday after the Congress was served an eviction notice by the Estates Directorate ordering it to vacate two floors in Lutyens Delhi by March 28.
The party currently occupies two Type VIII floors under the General Assembly Residences (GPRA) – its old national address at 24, Akbar Road (since 1990) and the Indian Youth Congress office at 5, Raisina Road (since 1976). However, the Congress moved to its new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, at 9A, Kotla Marg, on January 15 last year.
Launching a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, Congress leader Pawan Khera claimed that the move was aimed at diverting attention from pressing economic concerns. “Our 24 Akbar Road office and Youth Congress office have received notice. What is the priority of the entire country today? The priority of the country is that there is no need to stop in the LPG lines… Everything is stuck now. This is the priority of the country… But the priority of the government is before you today,” Khera said.
He added: “The government has prioritized focusing on all these issues… to close the mouth of the opposition so that it cannot raise these issues… No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to close the mouth of Congress.”
Senior leader Jairam Ramesh described the notice as “revenge” for the Shirtless Youth Conference protests at the AI Summit.
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Imran Masood wondered why similar action was not taken against the BJP despite allotment of lands to it. “The government thinks they can put pressure on the Congress. Will they move against the BJP offices in Pant Marg or Ashoka Road?” Masood told news agency ANI.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs could not be reached for comment.
According to a 2012 Office of Land and Development memorandum, parties allotted land under the 2006 policy must vacate GPRA housing after office construction or within three years of acquisition, whichever comes first.
Other national parties with bungalows in the Lutyens area include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was allotted a 7th floor on Pandit Pant Marg in 1999. More recent allotments include the People’s National Party at 75 North Avenue (August 2021), the Bahujan Samaj Party at Lodhi Estate (February 2024), and the Aam Aadmi Party at 1 Canning. Lynn (July 2024).
