(This story originally appeared in on Feb 24, 2015)

NEW DELHI: Congress has asked its state units to consolidate all the real estate owned by the party and form trusts to manage them, a move that would make it the largest land owner in politics and even put some industries to shame.Worried that its vast land holdings were being "pilfered" or lying in disuse, Congress has decided to lay the ground for their optimum utilization. The crucial bit is that creation of trusts will ensure that the land is not lost to unscrupulous party leaders or encroachers.After detailed discussions by the leadership and directives from Congress treasurer Motilal Vora , the process to compile the land records has begun.The land owned by Congress could be an eye-opener. While there is little idea of how much real estate exists in the party's name across the country, the figure could be high. As the oldest political outfit in India with a vintage of 130 years, Congress has land in virtually every nook and corner - blocks and districts besides state capitals and the Centre.It could run into many, many acres. "Congress's land bank can put the best in the real estate business in the shade while definitely being the largest property owner among political parties," a key party office-bearer told TOI.This is the first attempt to organize the party property, an idea that has received impetus following years of lament over land being lost to encroachers or greedy partymen.The case of Bihar is cited as the catalyst behind the move, with the party having been shortchanged by its office-bearers over the years through fraudulent sales behind the leadership's back.As per the plan, state units will collect records, either in its possession or under encroachment. It will then be put together and registered under trusts.Sources said legal proceedings would also be initiated where land under adverse possession can be recovered. While some district presidents are staying in the party office, others maintain occupation despite having defected from Congress.Given the Congress's decimation in its erstwhile turfs like UP, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand , the fear of property being usurped or being sold fraudulently is high.Insiders are excited about the move. They feel it could pave the way for commercial exploitation of land that is lying in disuse and could be a significant revenue earner that is also above board."Once we have the property, we can exploit it commercially because political offices hardly need that kind of space," a senior leader said.The idea behind this optimism is the realization that much of the land that was bought years ago was in the suburbs but has become the heart of a city or town, even a metro, with the expansion of urban centres. "This land is the most sought after. Why should it be lying in disuse," a Congress insider said.