Ex-Cong MLA Amba Prasad evicted from Ranchi govt residence, alleges political vendetta
Synopsis
Days before Diwali, former Jharkhand MLA and Congress National Secretary Amba Prasad found herself outside her government residence in Ranchi's HEC complex — evicted while absent, performing puja in a tent, and publicly accusing Chief Minister Hemant Soren's administration of targeting her despite years of coalition support. The administration insists multiple notices were served; Prasad denies receiving any.
Key Takeaways
Amba Prasad , former Congress MLA from Barkagaon, Jharkhand , was evicted from residence F-44, HEC complex, Ranchi on 7 November 2025 .
Prasad lost the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election but had continued to occupy the government-allotted premises.
She launched a sit-in protest outside the property and performed a Lakshmi-Ganesha puja in a tent on Sunday night.
She alleges she was singled out while other former MLAs in the same complex retain their residences, and denies receiving any eviction notice.
Magistrate Mohammad Zafar Hasnat confirmed the residence was transferred to an IAS officer last year; a final notice was issued on 2 November .
Prasad publicly criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren , signalling a potential fault line within the JMM-Congress coalition.
Former Jharkhand legislator and Congress National Secretary Amba Prasad was evicted from her government-allotted residence at F-44, HEC complex, Ranchi, on Friday, 7 November 2025, triggering a sit-in protest and fresh political controversy in the state. Prasad, who represented the Barkagaon constituency in Hazaribagh district before losing the 2024 Assembly election, alleges the eviction was a targeted act of political vendetta rather than routine administrative procedure.
Protest in a Tent Ahead of Diwali
Following the eviction, Amba Prasad erected a tent outside the vacated premises and launched a sit-in demonstration. On Sunday night, she joined family members and supporters inside the tent to perform a puja dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. She said she prayed for the administration to be granted 'wisdom (sadbuddhi)'. The timing of the eviction — days before the Diwali festival — has added an emotional dimension to what might otherwise have been a routine administrative matter.
What Amba Prasad Alleges
Amba Prasad clarified that the residence itself was not her primary grievance; rather, she objected to the manner in which it was vacated in her absence, describing the action as a direct attack on her self-respect. She further alleged that several other former MLAs continue to occupy government residences in the same complex, but she was singled out for eviction.
Citing a prior incident in which a bulldozer was reportedly deployed at her ancestral house in Barkagaon, she said her family has faced repeated episodes of political pressure. Expressing disappointment with Chief Minister Hemant Soren, she said it was 'deeply disheartening to be left without a home... despite having supported the government during difficult times.'
What the Administration Says
Magistrate Mohammad Zafar Hasnat, who oversaw the eviction, stated that the residence had originally been allotted to Prasad under the MLA quota but was transferred to an IAS officer last year. According to the administration, multiple notices were served asking her to vacate. A final notice was issued on 2 November and was also communicated via WhatsApp. After no response was received within the stipulated deadline, officials proceeded with the eviction. Amba Prasad, however, has categorically denied receiving any notice from the authorities.
Broader Political Context
The episode comes at a sensitive moment for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance government, of which the Indian National Congress (Congress) is a constituent partner. Prasad's public criticism of Chief Minister Hemant Soren signals an internal fault line within the ruling coalition, and her allegations of selective eviction could invite wider scrutiny of how government housing is administered across the state. This is not the first time a former legislator in Jharkhand has resisted vacating official accommodation after losing an election, but the public nature of the protest — and the puja performed in a tent on the eve of a major festival — has amplified its visibility.
What Happens Next
Prasad has not indicated whether she intends to pursue legal remedies against the eviction order. Her ongoing sit-in protest continues to draw supporters, and the Congress is yet to issue a formal party-level response. Political observers will watch whether the dispute escalates into a larger coalition stress point for the Soren government ahead of any by-elections or legislative sessions.
Point of View
The administration has a selective-enforcement problem it has not yet addressed publicly. More broadly, the standoff exposes the perennial failure of state governments to enforce post-election vacation of official accommodation consistently and without political colouring. The fact that a sitting coalition partner's leader is now publicly accusing Chief Minister Hemant Soren of harassment is the detail mainstream coverage risks burying under the puja-in-tent imagery.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Amba Prasad evicted from her Ranchi government residence?
Amba Prasad was evicted from residence F-44 in Ranchi's HEC complex because the property, originally allotted to her under the MLA quota, was transferred to an IAS officer last year after she lost the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election. The administration says multiple notices were served before officials proceeded with the eviction on 7 November 2025.
What is Amba Prasad's response to the eviction?
Amba Prasad has denied receiving any eviction notice and alleges the action was politically motivated. She set up a tent outside the property, launched a sit-in protest, and publicly criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren, saying it was deeply disheartening to lose her home ahead of Diwali despite supporting the government during difficult times.
Does the administration confirm that notices were served?
Yes. Magistrate Mohammad Zafar Hasnat confirmed that several notices were issued asking Prasad to vacate, with a final notice sent on 2 November 2025, also communicated via WhatsApp. When no response was received, the eviction proceeded. Prasad categorically denies receiving any of these notices.
What are the political implications of this eviction?
The public spat is significant because Congress is a coalition partner in Jharkhand's JMM-led government. Prasad's direct criticism of Chief Minister Hemant Soren could strain alliance relations, particularly if her allegation of selective enforcement — that other former MLAs retain their residences — gains traction in the state legislature or media.
