1. Congress war room, pivotal for election preparations, shifts after almost two decades.
2. Relocated from a tranquil spot in Central Delhi to a prime location in Lutyens’ Delhi.
3. First change of address for the war room in 18 years signifies a significant transition.
New Delhi, March 02: After nearly two decades, the Congress party’s war room, the central nerve center for its election preparations, has relocated from a serene corner in Central Delhi to a prime spot in Lutyens’ Delhi, adjacent to Khan Market.
This marks the first change of address for the war room in 18 years. Initially set up at 99 South Avenue ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the operational hub later shifted to 15 Gurdwara Rakabganj Road (GRG) in 2006, where it remained until now.
The recent shift became necessary as the GRG bungalow, allotted to Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Bhattacharyya, was vacated following his retirement last year.
The search for a new location concluded at C 1/10, Subramania Bharti Marg, a two-storied bungalow owned by Uttam Kumar Reddy, a Telangana minister and former Rajya Sabha member.
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While the war room currently operates from this site, it’s likely to move again post-elections when the bungalow is reallocated to a new Rajya Sabha member.
Spearheaded by former civil servant Sasikanth Senthil, who resigned from the civil services in 2019, the war room comprises a dedicated team including engineer-turned-Congress joint secretary Gokul Butail, Delhi unit member Naveen Sharma, party worker Varun Santosh, and retired Captain Arvind Kumar, among others.
While the exact reasons behind the address change remain undisclosed, it reflects a strategic decision by the party’s top leadership.
The war room serves as a crucial hub for Congress strategists, hosting regular meetings, including those with the social media team and other groups.
The party also plans to establish state-level war rooms for enhanced coordination during elections, following discussions chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier this year.
Comparatively, the new war room, although equipped with similar facilities, lacks the meticulous organization of its predecessor at 15, GRG.
Nonetheless, it stands as a testament to the party’s evolution and adaptability in its electoral strategies.
