Does the Lucknow Congress headquarters belong to the Congress?
Whom does the UP Congress headquarters in Lucknow belong to? Apparently, not the Congress. After 38 years of occupation of the Nehru Bhawan at Mall Avenue by the party, a new claimant has come forward. According to businessman Manish Agarwal, the property belongs to his family. Congress claims otherwise; however, it hasn't submitted any proof of ownership yet. But what actually happened decades ago?
Congress' version: 'We bought the property at a 1979 auction'
According to Mohsina Kidwai, state Congress president, when Indira Gandhi inaugurated the office in December 1979, the party had purchased the property at an auction that January. Then two days ago, they received a notice from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. State Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan says they have all necessary documents, "and we are sure that the revenue department will also have them".
Claimant's version: 'My grandfather bought it in 1961'
Meanwhile, Agarwal said he recovered a 1961 sale deed a couple of months ago, according to which his grandfather Ram Swaroop Agarwal had bought the property at an auction. He also submitted tax records of 1970 and 1986. Agarwal says since it is in his grandfather's name, his heirs' names should also be included. He asked how Congress leaders' names appeared in some records.
The Municipal Corporation wants to know
The municipal corporation has its own questions. According to Zonal Officer Ashok Singh, they have no record of the 1979 auction claimed by the Congress. After Agarwal staked claim, they held "several discussions" with Congress leaders, who reportedly gave only verbal replies and no documentary proof. At the site, a plaque lists the names of the 1979 executive committee members of UP Congress.
