India, March 29 -- The Congress, which received an eviction notice from the Directorate of Estates to vacate 24 Akbar Road, has secured a short-term reprieve after last-minute back-channel discussions with the government, sources said.

The party was issued the notice nearly 25 days ago, directing it to vacate the iconic Lutyens' bungalow by March 20 following its shift to the new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, on January 15 last year. The notice also covered the Indian Youth Congress office located at 5, Raisina Road in central Delhi.

The Congress moved to 24 Akbar Road in 1978 after its defeat in the 1977 general elections, when the Indira Gandhi-led party was routed by the Janata Party alliance.

According to sources, the relief came af...