AAP gets a new office in Delhi, at 1, Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane

The house, 1, Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane, was earlier occupied by the Nationalist Congress Party, which vacated the premises after losing its national party status in September last year. As per the Union ministry’s policy, national parties are eligible for land in Delhi to construct their own office or office space.

Sources in the AAP confirmed they will move to the new allotted space in the coming days, though a final date for vacating the DDU Marg office, which is adjacent to the Rouse Avenue Court, has not been finalised yet.

While allotting the house, the Ministry told the AAP that other terms and conditions would be communicated to it separately, as per a source. Usually, the conditions include that the allottee cannot use the premises for any purpose other than that of a party office.

The AAP has occupied the DDU Marg office space since 2015 when it won the Delhi Assembly elections with full majority. It won 67 seats in the 70-member Assembly. While it was not a national party at the time, as per rules for state parties, it was entitled to office space in the city. It was officially granted national party status in April 2023. Acting under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which stipulates the criteria for recognition as a national or state party, the Election Commission’s order had said AAP fulfilled the requirement of being a recognised state party in four or more states.

In March, the Supreme Court gave the AAP until June 15 to vacate the DDU Marg office. It later granted the party an extension until August 10.

The party’s new office — a white building with a backyard and a front yard — has six rooms and two office spaces. On Thursday, the office was yet to be cleaned; beds and mattresses from the previous occupant were still lying around. “We do not know how much time it will take for us to shift,” AAP sources said.