Patna – The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has declared that former Chief Minister Rabri Devi will not vacate her official residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna, despite a government order to move to 39 Hardinge Road. The issue has quickly escalated into a political controversy, with the RJD alleging political vendetta behind the eviction notice.
On Tuesday, the Building Construction Department of the Bihar government issued a notification directing Rabri Devi to move to the new residence, which has been designated for the leader of the opposition in the legislative council. Rabri Devi has resided at the 10 Circular Road bungalow for approximately 20 years, and it has served as a central hub for the RJD's political activities.
RJD state president Mangani Lal Mandal asserted that the government's decision was driven by political animosity and a desire to humiliate Lalu Prasad's family. "Whatever we have to do, we will do… but we will not vacate the bungalow," he stated, hinting at a potential campaign against the eviction. Mandal questioned the timing of the order, asking why the issue had not been raised in the past 20 years, even as governments changed in Bihar. He also pointed out alleged inconsistencies, referencing times when two Chief Ministers reportedly shared the same official residence.
The controversy has drawn reactions from other political figures. Rohini Acharya, Lalu Prasad's estranged daughter, criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government, accusing it of insulting her father. In a post on X, Acharya stated that the government's priority was to insult Lalu Prasad Yadav. Tej Pratap Yadav, Rabri Devi's elder son, is also set to lose the bungalow he has been occupying since he was a minister. However, Tejashwi Yadav, a prominent RJD leader and Lalu's son, has not yet commented on the situation.
In response to the RJD's objections, BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel accused the party of attempting to regain lost influence by portraying themselves as victims. He stated that the government had allotted the bungalow according to the rules and that the RJD was staging a drama. JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadav was "trapped in the web of illusions" which led to scams and his imprisonment, and now he is caught in the desire for a government bungalow. JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said the reallocation follows established norms.
This is not the first time former Chief Ministers in Bihar have been asked to vacate their residences. A 2019 High Court ruling addressed the issue of taxpayer-funded privileges for retired politicians, leading to notices being issued to several former CMs, including Rabri Devi. Rabri Devi's continued occupation of the 10 Circular Road bungalow was later justified under her role as the leader of the opposition, allowing her to retain the residence until now.
The current order from the Building Construction Department reassigns the 10 Circular Road residence and allots Rabri Devi a new residence at 39, Hardinge Road. The 10 Circular Road bungalow is strategically located near the Chief Minister's residence and the Raj Bhavan and has been a significant location for RJD's political meetings and discussions. Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad accused the Nitish Kumar government of targeting Opposition figures. As the RJD stands firm on its decision, the situation is poised to intensify the political tensions in Bihar.
