New Delhi, March 25 The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) will seek an extension of the March 28 deadline to vacate its office at 5, Raisina Road, even as it explores legal options following the receipt of an eviction notice, Congress sources said on Wednesday.
According to sources, the youth wing of the Congress was informed of the notice only on Wednesday. They said it would formally request more time to shift operations from the Lutyens' Delhi premises.
They said that both the IYC and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) have continued to function from the Raisina Road office despite having access to space at Indira Bhavan near ITO.
"Even though the IYC has an office in Indira Bhavan, it is used sparingly and functions more like a meeting facility," an IYC member said.
The eviction notice is part of a broader development in which both the IYC and the Congress party have been asked to vacate their respective premises at 5, Raisina Road and 24, Akbar Road by March 28.
The sources said the organisations are assessing their options, including legal recourse, while preparing to seek additional time for relocation.
"The government is making it a pointless issue that there should not be a political programme in the offices," he alleged.
Party functionaries indicated that a formal representation seeking extension of the deadline is likely to be submitted soon.
The Congress party has received notices from the Estate Department to vacate its 24, Akbar Road office and 5, Raisina Road premises in Lutyens Delhi by March 28, according to sources.
The party faces eviction of its old party office, which it has held since 1978, as this is the final notice sent by the estate department.
The party continues to have its headquarters at its Akbar Road office, while the IYC functions from the Raisina Road premises.
The sources said that the notice was delivered a few days ago and has not even given a week's time to the grand old party.
Sources in the party said the Congress is yet to formulate its strategy on the issue and may even approach the court in view of the sudden notice.
The Congress has already constructed its new party office at Indira Bhavan.
While the party did not say anything officially, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the government should apply its rule uniformly to all and not single it out.