Bihar govt allots 5 Desh Ratna Marg bungalow to Nishant Kumar
Synopsis
Bihar's bungalow reshuffle has turned politically charged: the residence next door to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been handed to Nishant Kumar, while former CM Rabri Devi faces a ticking deadline to vacate 10 Circular Road — and has already returned her government security cover, signalling a deepening opposition-government standoff.
Key Takeaways
The Bihar government has allotted the bungalow at 5 Desh Ratna Marg , Patna , to Nishant Kumar , adjacent to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's official residence.
Nishant Kumar's previous residence at 2 Desh Ratna Marg has been reassigned to Ram Kripal Yadav .
Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been allotted the bungalow at 7 Circular Road .
Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi faces a 15-day government notice to vacate 10 Circular Road ; the deadline is imminent.
The government has offered Rabri Devi a new residence at 39 Harding Road as Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, but she reportedly may shift to a private residence instead.
Rabri Devi has also returned her government-provided security cover, deepening the political standoff.
A fresh political controversy has erupted in Bihar over the reallotment of ministerial bungalows, after the state government assigned the prominent residence at 5 Desh Ratna Marg, Patna, to Nishant Kumar on 15 June 2025. The allotment has drawn sharp political attention given the bungalow's proximity to the official residence of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Why This Bungalow Is Significant
The residence at 5 Desh Ratna Marg was previously occupied by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary himself, making it one of the most politically sensitive addresses in Patna. An earlier proposal to merge or attach the bungalow to the Chief Minister's official residence had been cancelled, leaving it vacant — and now reassigned under the state's Building Construction Department reshuffle.
Notably, Nishant Kumar had previously been allotted the bungalow at 2 Desh Ratna Marg. That residence has now been reassigned to Ram Kripal Yadav. According to sources, the 2 Desh Ratna Marg bungalow was initially earmarked for Prem Kumar, but the Speaker reportedly opted to continue residing in his existing government accommodation, prompting the Building Construction Department to revise the allotment.
Nitish Kumar's New Address
In a parallel development, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been allotted the bungalow at 7 Circular Road, situated adjacent to the residence now assigned to Nishant Kumar. The reshuffling reflects a broader reordering of high-profile government accommodations in Patna's political corridor.
Rabri Devi Standoff Continues
The controversy over 10 Circular Road — the residence occupied by former Chief Minister Rabri Devi — remains unresolved and adds another layer to the bungalow dispute. The Bihar government reportedly issued a 15-day notice asking her to vacate the property, and that deadline is now approaching.
While a substantial portion of belongings has reportedly been shifted out of 10 Circular Road, the bungalow has not been fully vacated. The government has allotted a new residence at 39 Harding Road to Rabri Devi in her capacity as Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. However, reports suggest she is reluctant to move there and may instead shift to a private residence.
Security Row Adds to Political Tension
Compounding the friction, Rabri Devi has also recently returned her government-provided security cover amid an ongoing dispute over security arrangements for opposition leaders in Bihar. The twin issues — bungalow allotment and security withdrawal — have intensified the standoff between the ruling alliance and the opposition in the state.
With the 10 Circular Road deadline imminent and no resolution in sight, the bungalow controversy is set to remain a flashpoint in Bihar's political landscape in the days ahead.
Point of View
The Rabri Devi standoff over 10 Circular Road has evolved into a proxy battle over opposition dignity: the return of her security cover alongside resistance to vacating the bungalow suggests a deliberate strategy to frame the issue as state harassment of the opposition. Bihar's ruling coalition would do well to remember that accommodation disputes have a long history of becoming sustained political liabilities, particularly when they involve former chief ministers whose symbolic stature outlasts their tenure.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the 5 Desh Ratna Marg bungalow allotment sparked controversy in Bihar?
The bungalow at 5 Desh Ratna Marg is located directly adjacent to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's official residence and was previously occupied by him, making its reassignment to Nishant Kumar politically sensitive. The allotment is part of a broader reshuffle of ministerial accommodations by Bihar's Building Construction Department.
What is the dispute over Rabri Devi's bungalow at 10 Circular Road?
The Bihar government has reportedly issued a 15-day notice to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi asking her to vacate 10 Circular Road, and that deadline is now approaching. While belongings have reportedly been partially shifted out, the bungalow has not been fully vacated, and Rabri Devi is reportedly reluctant to move to the alternative residence offered at 39 Harding Road.
Where has the Bihar government offered to relocate Rabri Devi?
The government has allotted a residence at 39 Harding Road to Rabri Devi in her capacity as Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. However, reports indicate she may choose to move to a private residence instead.
Who is Nishant Kumar and what was his previous government residence?
Nishant Kumar has been allotted the bungalow at 5 Desh Ratna Marg following a reshuffle of official residences. He was previously allotted the bungalow at 2 Desh Ratna Marg, which has now been reassigned to Ram Kripal Yadav.
Why did Rabri Devi return her government security cover?
Rabri Devi reportedly returned her government-provided security cover amid an ongoing political dispute over security arrangements for opposition leaders in Bihar. The move is seen as part of a broader standoff between the opposition and the ruling alliance in the state.
