PTC News Desk: In a major political move after the Bihar elections, the government has decided to take back the well-known bungalow at 10 Circular Road from Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family. They have been living there for almost 20 years. The decision has created a lot of rumblings in Patna’s political corridors, with many asking why it is happening now and why this house matters so much in Bihar politics.

After ruling Bihar for nearly fifteen years, the Lalu family moved to the Opposition in 2005. When Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister and shifted to his official residence at 1 Aney Marg, former CM Rabri Devi was allotted the bungalow at 10 Circular Road, which is right next to the CM’s house.

Since then, the Lalu family has continued to stay there, and the address became politically important regardless of Rabri Devi’s position.

In 2015, when the Grand Alliance formed the government, Tejashwi Yadav became Deputy Chief Minister and was given the residence at 5 Deshratna Marg. The house gained attention after major renovations were carried out. Tejashwi’s department later declared it the permanent house for all future deputy chief ministers.

But in 2017, the situation changed when Nitish Kumar switched sides and joined with the BJP. Sushil Kumar Modi became the new Deputy CM, and Tejashwi was asked to vacate the Deshratna Marg bungalow.

Legal battle

Tejashwi challenged the eviction in the Patna High Court, but a single-judge bench rejected his plea. He then appealed to a division bench.

During the case, it came out that the government had made rules to provide bungalows, vehicles and staff to former chief ministers. After long hearings, on 19 February 2019, the High Court ordered Tejashwi to leave 5 Deshratna Marg and told the state to withdraw such facilities from all former chief ministers. This affected Rabri Devi, Jagannath Mishra and Jitan Ram Manjhi. Rabri Devi could continue living at 10 Circular Road only because she was Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council.

After the recent assembly election, the BJP has become stronger, and that is reflected in government decisions now. Rabri Devi has been given a new residence at 39 Harding Road as Leader of Opposition.

So now, she must vacate 10 Circular Road.