24 Akbar Road is a renowned name in the political landscape of the country, for it has been long associated with the Congress – the oldest political party in India. A white-coloured bungalow in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, is a key witness to endless significant political ups and downs in the life of the grand old party.
As the Congress gears up to shift to a new address – Indira Gandhi Bhawan on 9 A, Kotla Road – it is significant to look back and recollect the historical events that 24 Akbar Road has silently witnessed.
From former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s return to power in 1980, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, Sanjay Gandhi’s unfortunate demise in a plane crash to late PV Narsimha Rao’s and Dr Manmohan Singh’s regime as Prime Minister, its revival under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership and collapse in 2014, the building is testimonial to key historical events and of course, electoral wins and defeats of the Congress over around five decades.
As we dive into the pages of ’24 Akbar Road’, authoured by senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai, we discover that the bungalow originally belonged to G Venkatswamy, a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. Notably, Venkataswamy was one of the closest aids of Gandhi, who chose to stay by her side, at a time, when multiple Congress leaders distanced themselves from the party.
The post-emergency period proved to be a rough period for Gandhi, given she had lost her powers and also the official residence. It was during this time when family loyalist Mohammad Yunus offered the Gandhis his residence – 12 Willingdon Crescent.
12 Willingdon Crescent became home to the Gandhis and eventually, 24 Akbar Road was selected as the new official headquarters of the grand old party.
A new beginning
Announcing the news, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that “It is time for us to move ahead with the times and embrace the new!”
Taking to ‘X’, Venugopal wrote, “It is time for us to move ahead with the times and embrace the new!On 15 January, 2025 at 10am, in the esteemed presence of INC President Sh. Mallikarjun@khargeji and LOP Sh.@RahulGandhiji, Hon’ble CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji will inaugurate the new AICC Headquarters Indira Gandhi Bhawan, whose construction was started during her tenure as INC President. Senior leaders, including CWC members, CWC Permanent & Special Invitees, CPP Office Bearers, AICC Office Bearers, CEC Members, PCC Chiefs, CLP Leaders, MPs, as well as former CMs and former Union Ministers, will be present at the august occasion.”
Providing details on the fresh address, the Congress leader added that the Indira Gandhi Bhawan is designed to meet the evolving needs of the party and its leaders, featuring modern facilities to support administrative, organisational, and strategic.
“Situated at 9A, Kotla Road, New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi Bhawan is designed to meet the evolving needs of the party and its leaders, featuring modern facilities to support administrative, organisational, and strategic activities. This iconic building reflects the Congress Party’s forward-looking vision while paying homage to its extraordinary past, which has shaped the political and social fabric of India”, he continued.
As per a report by The Indian Express, a senior Congress leader said the party would not give up the Akbar Road bungalow and that “it will be kept for high-profile meetings”. Offices of party leaders and office-bearers, including that of the party president, will be relocated to the new building.
“It will be done in a phased manner and may take a couple of months but we will all shift to the new headquarters. The offices of general secretaries and other office-bearers will shift to the new building,” said the Congress functionary”, said the Congress leader, as quoted by the outlet.
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