I’m talking about 24-Akbar Street… the story of that bungalow the place Congress noticed 47 springs and lots of ‘autumns’ too.

I’m speaking about 24, Akbar Street…that bungalow of Lutyens period which will likely be generally known as historical past from fifteenth January 2025. The Akbar Street bungalow was as soon as house to Sir Reginald Maxwell, who was a member of the Government Council of Viceroy Lord Linlithgow. It was additionally house to a teenaged Aung San Suu Kyi in 1961, when her mom was appointed ambassador to India. Because the Congress headquarters, it has seen many ups and downs in 47 years. Witnessed the tenure of seven Congress Presidents.

Following the directions of the Supreme Court docket, all of the events needed to transfer their workplaces out of Lutyens Zone. Finally, the Congress headquarters additionally shifted to 9A, Kotla Marg, outfitted with fashionable services, however the emotional connection and historical past of the social gathering with 24, Akbar Street will stay within the recollections. On a chilly January morning in 1978, a gaggle of 20 separate Congress employees led by Indira Gandhi arrived at 24, Akbar Street. It was led by Shobhan Singh. Since then it grew to become the Congress headquarters.

Within the 60’s it was known as Burma Home

After 47 years, it’s one other chilly January. Congress inaugurated its new headquarters. The particular factor is that each the instances Congress remained in opposition and confronted electoral challenges. Then through the time of Indira Gandhi, there was a battle to return to energy after the Emergency, now Rahul-Priyanka are confronted with the problem of ending the drought of energy.

Kind VII Bungalow at 24, Akbar Street then owned by G. Venkataswamy, who was a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. He had determined to assist Indira Gandhi at a time when a lot of the Congress leaders had left her. Within the 60s, 24 Akbar Street was known as Burma Home. This title was given by Jawaharlal Nehru. At the moment Aung Track Suki was staying right here along with her mom.

Congress misplaced Sanjay Gandhi in 1980

Indira Gandhi had a tough time after the Emergency. Mohammad Yunus supplied his home, 12, Willingdon Crescent, to the Gandhi household as their personal residence. On this approach it grew to become the house of Indira, Rajiv, his spouse Sonia, their kids, Rahul and Priyanka, Sanjay, Maneka and 5 canines, all of whom began dwelling right here.

Now there was a scarcity of area at 12, Willingdon Crescent. Subsequently, 24, Akbar Street was made the brand new official Congress headquarters. Then in 1980, Congress returned to energy. Congress misplaced Sanjay Gandhi in 1980, Indira Gandhi in 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, when its headquarters was right here.

The crushing defeat in 2014 and 2019 was additionally seen right here solely.

In 1998, it additionally witnessed the dramatic occasion of Sonia Gandhi taking up because the social gathering chief by eradicating Sitaram Kesri. The historical past of social gathering cut up on the difficulty of Sonia’s international origin can be linked to this workplace. Later, beneath the management of Sonia, together with victory in consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 2004 and 2009, the social gathering additionally noticed crushing defeat in 2014 and 2019.

In 1984, throughout Operation Blue Star after which through the Sikh riots, 24 Akbar Street was the headquarters. It additionally witnessed the coronation of the primary Sikh PM Manmohan Singh in 2004. It was right here that Sonia made the report of serving because the social gathering president for the longest time within the historical past of Congress. In the identical workplace, Sonia transferred the obligations to Rahul Gandhi however in 2014, in political historical past, The social gathering additionally noticed its most crushing defeat after getting 44 seats.

…then 24 Akbar Street grew to become the witness of the celebration

Rahul additionally grew to become the President in 2018 however the seats might improve to solely 52. The social gathering didn’t get the submit of Chief of the Opposition twice consecutively. Rahul left the submit of president. Earlier than 2024, Mallikarjun Kharge grew to become the president and India alliance was fashioned. Congress reached 99. BJP remained away from majority for the third consecutive time.

Rahul, who made his political debut from this workplace in 2004, grew to become the chief of opposition within the Lok Sabha by successful from Rae Bareli in 2024. After 2014, it appears as if 24 Akbar Street will likely be buzzing in 2024. In the meantime, when Sonia grew to become a Rajya Sabha MP, Priyanka Gandhi made her debut as an MP from the Wayanad seat vacated by Rahul, 24 Akbar Street witnessed the celebrations.

In spite of everything, Congress had recovered from the worst part in its historical past since 2012 and was out of energy in 2014 because of Anna motion and corruption allegations. Earlier than this, 1991 noticed the Narasimha Rao period. Removed from energy, there was discord with the Gandhi household. Then in 1996, Sitaram Kesari period additionally occurred right here.

Additionally noticed Rajiv Gandhi going out of energy

This headquarters noticed the most important victory in historical past after the loss of life of Indira in 1985 and likewise noticed Rajiv Gandhi ousted from energy because of Bofors in 1989. One benefit of this home was that one among its gates connects it to 10 Janpath. , which at the moment was the workplace of the Indian Youth Congress and was later allotted to Rajiv Gandhi after which Sonia Gandhi. With this, it was simple to maneuver between house and workplace as president.

Earlier than independence, Motilal Nehru’s Anand Bhawan in Allahabad was the headquarters of the Congress. After 1947, the social gathering’s headquarters shifted to 7 Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. When the Congress cut up in 1969, Indira’s Congress misplaced 7 Jantar Mantar. Indira Gandhi arrange a short lived constructing at Windsor Place, the residence of MV Krishnappa of the Congress. Created social gathering workplace.

In 1971, Congress moved from workplace 5, Rajendra Prasad Street. Later, after the Emergency, it shifted from there to 24, Akbar Street in 1978. Now on January 15, 2025, Indira Gandhi Bhawan has been inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi within the presence of Congress President Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

I’m talking about 24-Akbar Street… the story of that bungalow the place Congress noticed 47 springs and lots of ‘autumns’ too.

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