Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Saturday refused to vacate the 10, Circular Road bungalow and challenged current CM Samrat Choudhary to remove her by force, triggering a fresh row over one of the state’s most prominent government residences.
When journalists questioned her at Patna airport about the Building Construction Department’s decision to allot the bungalow to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishor Ram, the former CM said she had no intention of leaving the residence voluntarily.
Rabri Devi said the CM, who had recently assumed office, appeared excited and could try removing her forcibly if he wished, adding that she was not going to vacate the premises.
The former CM, who governed Bihar from 1997 to 2005, was returning from Delhi after celebrating her grandson’s birthday. Her husband and RJD chief Lalu Prasad is also learnt to have travelled to Singapore for medical treatment.
Visibly annoyed by repeated questions over the housing dispute, Rabri Devi briefly interacted with reporters from inside her car and pushed away microphones while responding.
The bungalow at 10, Circular Road, situated close to Raj Bhavan and the CM’s residence, has remained politically significant for years as an important centre of the RJD activities.
The controversy dates back several months when the Building Construction Department revised allotment rules and decided that the bungalow would be reserved only for deputy chief ministers. Following the order, Rabri Devi, who currently serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, was allotted an alternative government accommodation at 39, Hardinge Road and asked to relocate.
Despite the alternative arrangement, she continued occupying the Circular Road residence along with Lalu Prasad. Their younger son and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, who has separately been allotted a bungalow at 1, Polo Road, is also known to spend considerable time at the Circular Road residence.
Amid the escalating row, Bihar Building Construction Minister Leshi Singh said Rabri Devi could not claim she was being denied facilities as she had already been allotted an official residence. She asserted that the government had now allotted 10, Circular Road to a serving minister and indicated there would be no special concessions.
