Three days after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, in a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday (June 7), Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unanimously elected as the coalition’s Parliamentary Party leader. The event took place at the Central Hall of the old Parliament building.

The circular Central Hall, topped by a dome 98 feet in diameter, has witnessed several historical events since it was established in 1927. Here is a short history of Central Hall over the years.

But first, can Central Hall be used by political parties or coalitions for their private events?

The Parliament House Complex in the heart of New Delhi contains several buildings: the new Parliament House that was opened last year; the old Parliament House, the iconic circular building that has now been renamed as Constitution House; Parliament House Annexe; and the Parliament Library Building.

The Speaker of Lok Sabha is the custodian of the Parliament House Complex. Political parties and groups are allocated office space inside the complex. They can hold meetings with their members on the premises. In the past, political parties have held their Parliamentary Party meetings at venues within the complex, including at the Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament Library Building.

In May 2014, soon after the announcement of that year’s Lok Sabha election results, Modi was elected leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party at a meeting held in Central Hall.

What is the history of the Central Hall?

Central Hall was originally used as the library for the members of the legislature.

In 1946, when the Constituent Assembly needed a space to meet to deliberate on the Constitution of independent India, Central Hall was refurbished and benches were added — its name was changed to Constituent Assembly Hall. The Constituent Assembly met at this venue for about three years between 1946 and 1949.

For what other purposes has Central Hall been used over the years?

It was primarily used for formal occasions such as the annual President’s Address to Members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and swearing-in ceremony of the President. It was also the venue for farewells of the President, and Parliamentary events like the outstanding Parliamentarian award ceremony.

Central Hall was used for addresses by Heads of State of other countries. The last address was by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Duarte Pacheco in March 2021 and before him, it was then United States President Barack Obama in November 2010.

During the term of the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-2009), then Speaker Somnath Chatterjee organised lectures by academics and scholars such as the American economist Jeffrey Sachs and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen at Central Hall.

During Parliament Sessions, members of both the Houses would convene at the spot to discuss issues of the day over tea and coffee.

More recently, the venue was used for the National Conference of Women Legislators (in March 2016), for centenary celebration of the Public Accounts Committee (2021), and for student programmes organised by the Parliament Secretariat.

What is the current status of the old Parliament House where Central Hall is located?

The chambers of the old Parliament House are currently not being used for holding Sessions. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet in the new building. However, the Parliament Secretariat has some offices that continue to operate out of the old building.

Chakshu Roy is Head of Outreach at PRS Legislative Research