Rabri Defies Bihar Govt, Refuses to Vacate Official Bungalow

• Bihar government allots 10, Circular Road bungalow to Minister Nand Kishor Ram
• Rabri Devi refuses to vacate residence, challenges government to evict her
• Building Construction Minister says alternative accommodation already allotted
• RJD accuses NDA government of targeting opposition leaders

GG News Bureau
Patna, 31st May: A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Bihar after former Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi refused to vacate the government bungalow at 10, Circular Road in Patna, despite the residence being officially allotted to a minister in the NDA government.

According to an order issued by the Building Construction Department on May 27, the bungalow, located near the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence, has been allotted to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishor Ram.

The controversy intensified when Rabri Devi, returning from a vacation, reacted sharply to questions from reporters at the airport. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, she said, “I can see Samrat Choudhary is quite excited upon becoming the chief minister. Let his government evict me by force. I am not going to vacate the house.”

Rabri Devi has occupied the bungalow for more than a decade. The residence was allotted to her during the tenure of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in her capacity as a former chief minister.

The state government had first sought possession of the bungalow in November last year. At the time, it had been allotted to Vijay Kumar Sinha, then serving as Deputy Chief Minister. However, Sinha was unable to move into the residence as Rabri Devi continued to occupy the premises.

Building Construction Minister Leshi Singh said the government had already allotted 39, Hardinge Road to Rabri Devi in her capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.

“The earlier allotment remains valid. She should shift to that house. It is the government’s prerogative to allot official residences. No occupant can claim a particular bungalow as a matter of right,” Singh said.

Officials in the department declined to comment on whether any formal eviction notice had been issued following Rabri Devi’s latest refusal.

The bungalow has long served as the political hub of the RJD leadership. Rabri Devi resides there along with her husband and RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav. Their younger son and RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav also spends considerable time at the residence despite having an official bungalow at 1, Polo Road as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly.

Amid the standoff, a sizeable police deployment was reported around the bungalow. On Saturday, Deputy Superintendent of Police Annu Kumari visited the residence, reportedly to convey the government’s position regarding the allotment.

The visit, however, did not appear to yield any progress. The officer left shortly after arriving and declined to speak to waiting journalists.

Reacting to the developments, RJD spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan accused the NDA government of adopting a vindictive approach toward opposition leaders.

“Why is the government adamant on making our leaders vacate a house that they have been occupying for 20 years? Let this government not talk about rules. These are bent whenever it suits the ruling dispensation,” Gagan said.

The dispute has added to the growing political tensions between the ruling NDA and the opposition RJD, with the issue likely to remain a flashpoint in Bihar’s political landscape in the coming days.