The fight over Patna’s high-profile 10 Circular Road residence has turned into a political flashpoint, with both the NDA and RJD digging in over the government’s eviction notice.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary addresses a gathering in Sheikhpura on Tuesday. (Left, ANI video grab) Security personnel remain deployed outside former chief minister Rabri Devi's residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna following the government's eviction notice. (Right, Photo: IANS)
The political battle over former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi’s official residence intensified on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launching a sharp attack on the RJD leadership and declaring that government bungalows cannot be treated as “ancestral property” or personal estates.
Addressing a public gathering in Sheikhpura, Choudhary defended the government’s decision to ask Rabri Devi to vacate the bungalow at 10 Circular Road and said public office-bearers must respect established rules once their tenure ends. The remarks come days after the Bihar government issued a notice directing the former chief minister to vacate the residence, which has since been allotted to Animal and Fisheries Resources Minister Nand Kishore Ram.
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“The Chief Minister’s residence belongs to the people. This place cannot be treated as anyone’s personal fiefdom or ancestral property. This is not a monarchy,” Choudhary said while addressing the gathering.
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The Bihar CM sought to draw a contrast between his own conduct and that of political rivals, saying he had occupied several official residences during his political career but never considered them personal property.
“I have served as Chief Minister, minister and Home Minister, but I never lived in a government residence as if it belonged to me. I have shifted residences multiple times and use them only for official work,” he said.
Choudhary also referred to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s past conduct, saying Kumar vacated the official residence whenever he demitted office and followed government rules without waiting for notices.
#WATCH | Sheikhpura, Bihar: CM Samrat Choudhary says, “This is not a monarchy where you simply continue to reside in the house that has been allotted to you. Today, the house I currently inhabit is the eleventh residence I have been assigned. I utilise the space solely for the… pic.twitter.com/R5iejaHXci
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2026
The controversy centres on the government bungalow at 10 Circular Road in Patna, where Rabri Devi and members of the Lalu Prasad Yadav family currently reside.
The Building Construction Department issued a notice on May 29 directing Rabri Devi to vacate the premises within 15 days. According to the government, the bungalow has now been allotted to minister Nand Kishore Ram.
Officials have also said that an alternative official residence has been allotted to Rabri Devi at 39 Hardinge Road. The administration maintains that notices regarding the accommodation had previously been issued, but the premises have not been vacated.
The row escalated after Rabri Devi publicly rejected the government’s directive and said she would not leave the bungalow.
“They can call the force to vacate the place, but I will not vacate the place,” the former chief minister told reporters.
Her stand has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the opposition RJD ahead of a politically significant period in Bihar.
Janshakti Janta Dal founder Tej Pratap Yadav also entered the debate, questioning why attention was focused on Rabri Devi’s residence.
Speaking to ANI, he said Nitish Kumar should vacate his government residence first.
“The residence of former CM Nitish Kumar should be vacated first. When he does, she will also vacate,” Yadav said.
Meanwhile, Bihar minister Md Zama Khan adopted a more cautious position, saying the matter should be handled according to legal and constitutional provisions.
“I do not know much about the issue, but things should be done as per the law. One should work within the Constitutional framework,” Khan told reporters.
During his speech, Choudhary said he had no attachment to government accommodation and would immediately move out whenever his tenure ended.
“The day my party and leaders decide that my tenure is over, within 24 hours, I will pack my bags and return to my private home. I have come here for public service, not personal gain,” he said.
The chief minister also accused some political families of focusing on securing separate residences for family members while ignoring public concerns, saying elected representatives should place citizens’ interests above personal comforts.
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