In a move that could trigger a major political showdown, the Centre has reportedly directed the Indian National Congress to vacate its historic headquarters at 24 Akbar Road by March 28, bringing an end to its nearly five-decade-long presence at the iconic address. The Estate Department has issued a formal notice to the party, asking it to vacate the premises that has served as its nerve centre for 48 years. Despite shifting its official headquarters to Indira Bhavan last year, the Congress has continued operations from Akbar Road, reflecting its deep emotional and political connection to the location.

The directive also applies to the Indian Youth Congress office at 5 Raisina Road, which has also been asked to vacate. Sources indicate that the party is now exploring legal options to challenge or delay the eviction, signaling a potential court battle in the coming days. The development has added to political tensions in the national capital, especially given the timing and the historical weight attached to the property.

The Akbar Road bungalow holds immense significance in India’s political history. Before Independence, it housed Sir Reginald Maxwell of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. In the 1960s, it served as the residence of Myanmar’s ambassador Daw Khin Kyi, where her daughter Aung San Suu Kyi spent part of her early years. Its most defining political phase began after the 1977 electoral defeat, when Indira Gandhi used the bungalow as the base for her faction following a major party split. From that point, the Congress rebuilt itself, operating from this address during the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh.

When Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the new headquarters, senior leaders had openly acknowledged their emotional attachment to Akbar Road, underlining its legacy in shaping the party’s political journey. With the deadline fast approaching, the issue is expected to escalate politically, as the Congress weighs its legal and strategic response to what could become a high-profile confrontation.