New Delhi: The Indian National Congress (INC) is set to inaugurate its new headquarters, Indira Gandhi Bhawan, on January 15 in New Delhi, amid a minor controversy over its name. Posters referring to the building as “Sardar Manmohan Singh Bhawan” were spotted near the site.
#WATCH | Delhi | Congress' new headquarters 'Indira Bhawan' will be inaugurated today.
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025
Posters referring to the party's new headquarters as 'Sardar Manmohan Singh Bhawan' seen put up here pic.twitter.com/Tazmi8tlJw
Supporters of the late former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 at the age of 92, may have put them up, as per speculations. Despite this, the Congress Party has officially named the headquarters after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, reflecting its tribute to her legacy.
The inauguration will be presided over by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), in the presence of Mallikarjun Kharge, INC President and Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The event is a significant milestone in the party’s 139-year history.
Details On Party's New Headquarters
Located at 9A, Kotla Road, the new headquarters is equipped with modern facilities to support the party's administrative, organisational and strategic needs.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal announced the event on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the building's forward-looking vision and homage to the INC’s extraordinary past. “This iconic building reflects the Congress Party’s forward-looking vision while honouring its rich history that has shaped India’s political and social fabric,” Venugopal wrote.
It is time for us to move ahead with the times and embrace the new!
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) January 7, 2025
On 15 January, 2025 at 10am, in the esteemed presence of INC President Sh. Mallikarjun @kharge ji and LOP Sh. @RahulGandhi ji, Hon’ble CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji will inaugurate the new AICC…
Over 400 Senior Leaders To Attend Event
The ceremony is expected to host around 400 senior leaders, including members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Presidents, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) Leaders, and Members of Parliament from both houses. Former Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, and AICC office bearers are also among the key invitees.
The controversy surrounding the posters comes just weeks after Dr Manmohan Singh’s passing. The former Prime Minister was renowned for spearheading India’s economic liberalisation in the 1990s and is remembered as one of the country's most influential leaders.