Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday inaugurated the new building of the Indian National Congress, Indira Bhawan at 9A Kotla Road, New Delhi.
AICC general secretary said that this new state-of-the-art headquarters symbolizes the Congress party’s continuing mission to uphold the vision of its stalwarts.
He said, “This building is not a structure of bricks and mortar, but a testament to the dreams, dedication, and sacrifices of the millions of Congress workers who have tirelessly served the nation through this great party.”
The construction of the new AICC headquarters was started in 2016 when Sonia Gandhi was president of the party and was inaugurated in 2025 under the leadership of Kharge. There has been a delay of several years owing to the paucity of funds.
Kharge said, “Congress party’s new headquarters ‘Indira Bhawan’ has been built on the foundation of Democracy, Nationalism, Secularism, Inclusive Development and Social Justice. Symbolising the 140-year-old glorious history of the Indian National Congress, the walls here narrate the great saga of truth, non-violence, sacrifice, struggle and patriotism.”
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that this party has always stood for a particular set of values, and we can see those values reflected in this building.
“This building is not an ordinary one. It has emerged from the soil of our country, and it is a result of the hard work and sacrifice of millions of people,” Gandhi said.
Meanwhile posters referring to the party’s new headquarters as Sardar Manmohan Singh Bhawan sparked a row.
The posters of Manmohan Singh were highlighted by the BJP.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to micro blogging site X and said, “Posters outside the new Congress headquarters call for it to be named Sardar Manmohan Singh Bhavan, as a tribute to the former Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi once referred to him as a mentor, yet he chose to travel to Vietnam for the New Year while the nation mourned his passing.”
However, the party has decided not to vacate the present 24, Akbar Road office and it will continue to house some of its cells.
The Akbar Road bungalow once housed Sir Reginald Maxwell, who was a member of Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s executive council. It was also home to a teen Aung San Suu Kyi in 1961 when her mother was appointed ambassador to India.
The Congress has been its mainstay though. More than just an office for the party, the premises set in expansive lawns was witness to the tenure of seven Congress presidents.
The BJP has also not vacated its old party headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road, even after shifting to its new headquarters at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg.
