In a subdued yet symbolically charged development in Bihar politics, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi has commenced vacating the prestigious 10 Circular Road bungalow, long regarded as the Lalu Prasad Yadav family's political stronghold for nearly two decades. Late-night operations involving pick-up vans removing furniture and household items confirmed the ongoing shift, conducted discreetly under cover of darkness.
The move follows the Bihar government's Building Construction Department allotting Rabri Devi a new official residence at 39 Harding Road. With this formal allocation, vacating the previous property became mandatory, though no specific deadline for complete handover has been publicly disclosed by authorities.
The bungalow at 10 Circular Road was originally allotted to Rabri Devi in 2006 after the RJD lost power in 2005, when she relinquished the chief minister's official residence upon Nitish Kumar assuming office. Over the years, it evolved into the de facto headquarters for RJD activities, retaining its status through multiple political shifts until the present enforcement of housing regulations.
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A 2019 Patna High Court verdict, stemming from a challenge by Tejashwi Yadav against his own eviction from another government bungalow, played a pivotal role in reshaping allotment rules. The ruling mandated withdrawal of such privileges from former chief ministers, indirectly impacting Rabri Devi's continued occupancy once her position as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council warranted a different allocation.
With strengthened BJP influence in the current NDA government and strict adherence to existing court directives, no viable legal or political avenue remains for retaining 10 Circular Road. The quiet evacuation marks the end of an era for one of Bihar's most prominent political addresses.
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