Lutyens’ bungalow that served as TMC base in Delhi vacated

Lutyens’ Bungalow Becomes a Symbol of TMC’s Delhi Struggles

Lutyens bungalow that served as TMC base – The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has suffered a significant setback in Delhi, as Barrackpore Lok Sabha MP Partha Bhowmick vacated his residence at 20 Dr Rajendra Prasad Road. This bungalow, which functioned as the party’s de facto headquarters, is now empty, marking another challenge for a faction grappling with internal divisions.

A new allotment from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, dated June 9, 2026, has assigned Bhowmick Type VII accommodation in Hooghly block (Flat No. 501) as his official residence. The move replaces his previous Type VI bungalow, which he had used for party operations. Bhowmick himself requested the change, signaling a shift in priorities.

Rebellion and the Loss of Political Infrastructure

The TMC’s Delhi stronghold is further weakened by the defection of 19 MPs, including Bhowmick, who signed a formal letter on May 18 to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group. These lawmakers also met with BJP representatives, amplifying the party’s internal fractures.

With the bungalow now locked, TMC materials have been relocated to the South Avenue home of Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque. Staff at Haque’s residence told HT, “

They had only just been instructed to bring all documents, office material and equipment to the new location and to shift the furniture.

”

A Legacy of Residential Coordination

Historically, the TMC has relied on senior leaders’ residences to manage its Delhi activities. Before Bhowmick’s bungalow, operations were centered at Mukul Roy’s South Avenue home. After Roy left the party, the role transitioned to Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, only to shift again with Bhowmick’s move.

Bhowmick, a first-term MP elected in the 2024 general election, now appears to be at the heart of the rebellion’s logistical efforts. His decision to surrender the TMC’s last fixed address in the capital highlights the growing instability within the party’s parliamentary structure.

Statutory Challenges and the Path Forward

The TMC’s loss of the bungalow is compounded by its diminished status under electoral rules. The Election Commission revoked the party’s national status in April 2023, relegating it to state-level recognition. This change has limited its access to dedicated office spaces in Delhi, as per Union government policies.

Under the Land and Development Office guidelines, national parties are entitled to construct offices using government land. However, state parties like the TMC must vacate bungalogs used as operational bases within three years of receiving such land or upon completing their new facilities. The TMC, lacking an independent office, now faces the prospect of functioning in New Delhi without a permanent address—precisely when it needs one most.