The issue escalated into a major political controversy on Wednesday as RJD state president Mangni Lal Mandal alleged that the move was driven by political vendetta.
Photo: IANS
A political row has erupted in Bihar after former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Rabri Devi, was directed to vacate her official residence at 10, Circular Road, Patna.
On Tuesday, the Building Construction Department of the new government cancelled the allotment of the bungalow, where the Lalu Prasad family has been living for nearly two decades. The department has now allotted her a new residence at 39 Harding Road, which will serve as her official address.
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The issue escalated into a major political controversy on Wednesday as RJD state president Mangni Lal Mandal alleged that the move was driven by political vendetta. Challenging the Nitish Kumar government, he said they would do everything possible but would not vacate Rabri Devi’s current residence.
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“Whatever we have to do, we will do… but we will not vacate the bungalow,” he asserted.
Mandal further accused the state government of acting out of resentment and political hostility toward Lalu Prasad and his family, claiming that the decision was entirely politically motivated.
“Arguments are being fabricated; there is no basis for any administrative compulsion,” he said.
He also alleged that the decision reflects political coordination between the central and state governments. According to him, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is targeting Lalu Prasad’s family to win the favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the RSS.
“It is clear that the attempt to humiliate Lalu Yadav and his family is being made solely for political gain. This action is neither impartial nor just,” he said.
Responding to Mandal’s remarks, Bihar BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel said the RJD was trying to regain its lost influence by “creating a hue and cry to gather sympathy.”
“The government allotted the bungalow according to the rules, but they are staging a drama and making a failed attempt to portray themselves as victims,” Patel said.
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