New Delhi, Dec 28 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi today laid the foundation stone of the Indira Gandhi Bhavan at Kotla Road, which will be the new headquarters of the Congress party.

Gandhi had earlier hoisted the party flag at the Congress headquarters.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was also present on the inaugural ceremony at the new Congress headquarters, said, "The country needs the Congress government at present."

"The Congress government at the centre is capable to fight terrorism and naxalites efficiently," he added.

The new office of the Congress party is to be constructed at Rouse Avenue near Connaught Place and will most probably be completed by the end of 2010.

The Congress presently has its headquarter was at 24, Akbar Road.

The shift in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters to Kotla Road in Central Delhi also marks the beginning of yearlong celebration to commemorate 125 years of the party''s formation.

The Congress Party was formed in 1885. (ANI)