Rabri Devi vacates govt bungalow after nearly 2 decades, marking end of a political era

Patna, July 2 (IANS) One of the most iconic addresses in Bihar politics, 10 Circular Road in Patna, entered a new chapter on Thursday as former Chief Minister Rabri Devi vacated the government bungalow after nearly 20 years.

Accompanied by RJD chief and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, she shifted to the family’s private residence in Kautilya Nagar, ending an era closely associated with the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s political journey.

Rabri Devi had been residing at the government bungalow since February 2, 2006.

The residence was allotted to her during her tenure as the Leader of the Opposition, first in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and later in the Legislative Council.

Over the years, the bungalow evolved into the political nerve centre of the Lalu family, hosting numerous meetings of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and serving as the venue where several key political strategies and decisions were shaped.

As a result, 10 Circular Road became synonymous with RJD politics in Bihar.

Before handing over possession of the bungalow, Rabri Devi had raised concerns regarding the official inventory of government-owned items.

She wrote to the Building Construction Department seeking the original charge register and inventory list prepared at the time the residence was allotted to her in 2006.

According to sources, the department had not yet provided the original documents.

Rabri Devi maintained that the inventory should be verified before the residence was formally handed over to avoid any future disputes or allegations regarding government property.

Despite the pending issue, she vacated the bungalow on Thursday.

As the current Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, Rabri Devi has been allotted an official residence at 39 Harding Road.

However, the Lalu family has, for the time being, shifted to its private residence in Kautilya Nagar.

Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, has already moved into his official residence at 1 Polo Road.

As a result, the family’s political and personal activities will now operate from separate locations.

The Bihar government had earlier directed Rabri Devi to vacate the bungalow within one month.

This was followed by a 15-day extension and later a seven-day final notice.

During this period, the family gradually shifted its belongings, with trucks carrying household items from the residence over the past several days.

The government has now allotted the 10 Circular Road bungalow to Nand Kishore Ram, the state’s Minister for Animal and Fisheries Resources.

–IANS

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