24 Akbar Road is a famend title within the political panorama of the nation, for it has been lengthy related to the Congress – the oldest political get together in India.
24 Akbar Road is a famend title within the political panorama of the nation, for it has been lengthy related to the Congress – the oldest political get together in India. A white-coloured bungalow within the coronary heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, is a key witness to countless vital political ups and downs within the lifetime of the grand outdated get together.
As the Congress gears as much as shift to a brand new deal with – Indira Gandhi Bhawan on 9 A, Kotla Road – it’s vital to look again and recollect the historic occasions that 24 Akbar Road has silently witnessed.
From former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s return to energy in 1980, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, Sanjay Gandhi’s unlucky demise in a aircraft crash to late PV Narsimha Rao’s and Dr Manmohan Singh’s regime as Prime Minister, its revival below Sonia Gandhi’s management and collapse in 2014, the constructing is testimonial to key historic occasions and in fact, electoral wins and defeats of the Congress over round 5 many years.
As we dive into the pages of ‘24 Akbar Road‘, authoured by senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai, we uncover that the bungalow initially belonged to G Venkatswamy, a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. Notably, Venkataswamy was one of many closest aids of Gandhi, who selected to remain by her facet, at a time, when a number of Congress leaders distanced themselves from the get together.
The post-emergency interval proved to be a tough interval for Gandhi, given she had misplaced her powers and additionally the official residence. It was throughout this time when household loyalist Mohammad Yunus supplied the Gandhis his residence – 12 Willingdon Crescent.
12 Willingdon Crescent grew to become house to the Gandhis and ultimately, 24 Akbar Road was chosen as the brand new official headquarters of the grand outdated get together.
A brand new starting
Announcing the information, Congress normal secretary KC Venugopal mentioned 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 particulars on the contemporary deal with, the Congress chief added that the Indira Gandhi Bhawan is designed to satisfy the evolving wants of the get together and its leaders, that includes trendy amenities to help 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 chief mentioned the get together wouldn’t quit the Akbar Road bungalow and that “it will be kept for high-profile meetings”. Offices of get together leaders and office-bearers, together with that of the get together president, can be relocated to the brand new constructing.
“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”, mentioned the Congress chief, as quoted by the outlet.
