Bihar – In a significant administrative development in Bihar’s political landscape, former chief minister Rabri Devi has been directed to vacate her long-time residence, marking the end of an era. The Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order was issued by the Building Construction Department on Tuesday, coinciding with the maiden cabinet meeting of the newly formed government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Official Notification and New Allotment
The directive for Rabri Devi bungalow vacate comes from BCD joint secretary and estate officer Shiv Ranjan, who has allotted her a new residence at 39 Hardinge Road. This sprawling property spans over three acres and is typically reserved for ministers and high-ranking officials. The allotment has been made to Rabri Devi in her capacity as the leader of opposition in the Bihar legislative council.
BCD minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary confirmed the allotment, emphasizing that the new bungalow offers ample space and meets the standards designated for senior political figures. The transition represents a significant shift in Bihar’s political real estate dynamics.
End of Two-Decade Residence
The Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order ends her nearly two-decade stay at 10 Circular Road, where she has resided since November 2005. She moved to this residence after stepping down as chief minister and handing over the official CM bungalow at 1 Anne Marg to Nitish Kumar following the change of government.
The 10 Circular Road property has served as more than just a residence for the RJD leadership. It has functioned as a hub for the Rashtriya Janata Dal, hosting numerous key meetings and political discussions over the years. The property is shared with her husband, RJD president and former chief minister Lalu Prasad, making it a significant center of opposition political activity in Bihar.
RJD’s Cautious Response
The Rashtriya Janata Dal has responded cautiously to the Rabri Devi bungalow vacate directive. State party spokesman Chitranjan Gagan noted that no official order for shifting has been received yet by the party leadership. “We will say after we receive the official notification,” he stated, reflecting the party’s measured approach amid ongoing political tensions following the recent assembly election results.
This careful response suggests that the opposition party is awaiting complete official documentation before making any definitive statements or taking action regarding the residential transition.
Historical Context: 2019 Court Ruling
The Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order revives echoes of a significant 2019 Patna High Court ruling that fundamentally altered residential privileges for former chief ministers. The court quashed lifetime bungalow allocations for ex-CMs, deeming them a misuse of public funds and an unjustified burden on taxpayers.
Acting on its own motion (suo motu), the court issued notices to the state government and affected former chief ministers, including Satish Prasad Singh, Jagannath Mishra, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Rabri Devi, ordering them to vacate their government-provided residences. This landmark decision forced several ex-CMs to relinquish their properties, highlighting growing concerns over taxpayer-funded privileges for retired politicians.
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Reframed Allotment Strategy
Following the 2019 court decision, Rabri Devi’s 10 Circular Road allotment was subsequently reframed under her role as leader of opposition, allowing her to retain the residence until the current Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order. This legal maneuvering had enabled her to continue residing at the prestigious address for an additional six years beyond the initial court directive.
Prior to these changes, one bungalow previously occupied by Nitish Kumar as a former CM was reassigned to the chief secretary, demonstrating the government’s commitment to implementing the court’s directives regarding official residences.
Political Timing and Electoral Context
The timing of the Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order is particularly significant, coinciding with the NDA’s dominant performance in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections. The alliance secured an impressive 202 out of 243 seats, marking its second landslide exceeding 200 seats after 2010.
Analysts attribute the NDA’s success to effective governance, popular welfare schemes, and a consolidated voter base, resulting in Nitish Kumar securing his fifth term as chief minister despite previous alliance realignments. The overwhelming victory has emboldened the new government to address pending administrative matters, including housing allotments for opposition leaders.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
Adding complexity to the Rabri Devi bungalow vacate situation is the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former chief minister. Rabri Devi, along with Lalu Prasad and their son Tejashwi Yadav, is currently on trial in the IRCTC hotel corruption case, facing charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. All three have pleaded not guilty, but the proceedings have kept the family consistently in the political and media spotlight.
Broader Political Implications
The Rabri Devi bungalow vacate order underscores the evolving dynamics in Bihar’s political arena, where post-election adjustments often reflect broader power realignments. The residential reallocation represents more than just a change of address; it symbolizes the shifting balance of political power in the state following the decisive electoral mandate.
As Rabri Devi prepares for the move from 10 Circular Road to 39 Hardinge Road, political observers are watching closely for any ripple effects on opposition strategies and cohesion in Bihar. The Rabri Devi bungalow vacate directive may also set precedents for how government residences are allocated to opposition leaders in the future, potentially influencing administrative policies across other Indian states.
