Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

Even though the new headquarters has been built, why are BJP and Congress occupying Lutyens’ bungalow?


New Delhi: The two major national political parties continue to occupy government bungalows for their party offices in Lutyens’ Delhi, years after building their headquarters or acquiring land for the purpose, in violation of norms. Although the policy provides that after three years of getting land for office or completing construction, political parties have to vacate the bungalows, BJP and Congress have occupied two bungalows each.

Notice was sent to Congress

Sources said that in 2018, the Directorate of Estate under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had sent a notice to the Congress to vacate four government houses. The party has so far vacated two such houses. This rule applies to all political parties. Now, BJP has two government bungalows on Ashok Road and Pandit Pant Marg.

A source said that Congress has two bungalows on Akbar Road and Raisina Road. There is no indication as to when these parties will vacate the bungalows. At present, about half a dozen bungalows are occupied by political parties.

Have to vacate within 3 years

As per the Policy of Allotment of Land to National Political Parties 2012, parties who occupy a bungalow or suite in Vithalbhai Patel House for their office are required to take possession of the vacant plot immediately after construction of the office building on the allotted plot or within three years of They should be emptied inside.

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The Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Housing Ministry had allotted two plots on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to the BJP. The party inaugurated its office in February 2018. Even after almost five years, BJP continues to occupy the bungalows located at 11, Ashok Road and 14, Pandit Pant Marg.

Congress Headquarters

New Congress headquarters inaugurated on January 15

In the case of Congress, though the government had allotted it land on Kotla Road adjacent to DDU Marg in 2010, it had only recently completed the construction of its office after getting several extensions. The new party headquarters will be inaugurated on January 15. Sources said while the Congress is unlikely to vacate the two bungalows housing its national and youth wing offices, the BJP has also not done so.

What is the government saying?

In June 2022, in response to questions about forcing parties to vacate the bungalows, then Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had told reporters that it (eviction of political parties) is in the process. All political parties will be included in this. It is in the pipeline. Officials said sending any fresh notice to political parties to vacate bungalows even after setting up a new office is a ‘sensitive’ issue.

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