‘Trying to deflect attention from Iran war’: Congress slams BJP over Lutyens eviction notice | India News
New Delhi: The Congress party on Wednesday received an eviction notice for its long-standing national headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, directing it to vacate the premises by March 28. Reacting to the notice, the Congress alleged that the ruling BJP government was trying to divert public attention from the ongoing war in Iran.Party leader Imran Masood said, “The government thinks it can silence the Congress by putting pressure on us. They should not try to intimidate us. Have they got BJP offices at 11, Ashok Road or Pant Marg? Because they could not do anything about the Iran war, they are trying to divert attention from the issue.”Pramod Tiwari also criticized the move calling it undemocratic. He said, “BJP government is not a democratic government. It is unfortunate. Let the notice reach us. We will implement it after discussion.”Reacting to the notice, Karti P Chidambaram said, “If they want to apply this policy to the Congress party, it should be applied to all other political parties. It cannot be unilateral.”The Congress has occupied the Akbar Road bungalow since 1978, making it a symbolic address in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi.Party workers said the eviction notice was given a few days ago. A second notice has been issued for the headquarters of the Indian Youth Congress at 5, Raisina Road. With both deadlines set for March 28, Congress has signaled plans to go to court to prevent forced evictions. Congress MP and senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi described the eviction notice as “illegal and politically motivated”. While the party shifted its headquarters to Indira Bhavan near ITO, it retained its office at Akbar Road.
