New Delhi: As the new Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was inaugurated by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 9-A, Kotla Marg, no invitations were extended to the media. This sparked discussions about Congress attempting to restrict media presence in its new building.
According to sources, the decision to bar the media from entering the new premises was made by the media communications general secretary, Jairam Ramesh. However, leaders close to Ramesh have denied his involvement in the decision.
A journalist said, “The headquarters were covered with green netting on the roadside walls, blocking any visuals of the insides. It was likely done to prevent the media from taking photos or videos. They wanted to keep everything under wraps and also and send a message that they too will go against the media in the same way other parties do.”
Experts believe this decision to limit media access may stem from Rahul Gandhi’s antipathy toward the media.
A source privy to the developments said, “There have been several occasions where Rahul Gandhi had singled out journalists in press conferences, labelling them as working for rival parties. Moreover, he has avoided mainstream media shows. These instances suggest he doesn’t have a positive view of the media, and if Ramesh proposed the idea of restricting media access, Rahul would likely have supported it.”
Sources close to Ramesh, however, admit that not providing enough space for the media to perform its constitutional role was a mistake.
A source said, “The party will ensure journalists have space to sit and prepare for their work inside the premises. They may not be allowed to access certain floors, but if a journalist has an appointment with a particular leader, they can be called to the leader’s office to meet.”
A political observer said, “Congress has always been more accommodating of the media compared to other political parties. Party leaders have often been open about internal issues. In the old headquarters, journalists had sitting rooms and could freely approach any leader. The new building, however, will not allow that level of freedom.”
An ex-Member Parliament said, “It feels more like a corporate building than a political party’s office. Leaders and workers from different states—many of whom are poor and have limited exposure—will visit, but they won’t feel the same sense of belonging that they did with the old headquarters.”