Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar holds housewarming puja at Patna's 5 Desh Ratna Marg
Synopsis
Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar's move into 5 Desh Ratna Marg — one of Patna's most prominent VVIP bungalows, adjacent to Nitish Kumar's own residence — is more than a routine housewarming. It underscores the intertwining of family and political power in Bihar, even as the state's senior leaders reshuffle addresses in a quietly significant game of political geography.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar performed a Satyanarayan Puja at 5 Desh Ratna Marg, Patna on 29 June , marking his official housewarming.
Former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar participated in the religious ceremony.
The bungalow is located in Patna's VVIP zone , adjacent to Nitish Kumar's official residence at 7 Circular Road .
Nishant Kumar was originally allotted 2 Desh Ratna Marg before being reassigned the more prominent address after Samrat Choudhary vacated it.
The family of Lalu Prasad Yadav has reportedly shifted from 10 Circular Road to Tejashwi Yadav's residence at Polo Road , part of a wider residential churn among Bihar's political elite.
Nishant Kumar also confirmed the Health Department's inspection drive in government and private hospitals across Bihar will continue.
Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar on Monday, 29 June performed a Satyanarayan Puja at his newly allotted official residence at 5 Desh Ratna Marg in Patna, marking the housewarming on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima. Several family members joined the religious ceremony, including former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar.
The Ceremony and Its Setting
The Satyanarayan Puja was held at one of Patna's prominent government bungalows in the VVIP zone, situated close to the Chief Minister's official residence and adjacent to Nitish Kumar's official residence at 7 Circular Road. On the same occasion, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also organised a Satyanarayan Puja at his own official residence, making it a day of religious observance across two significant government addresses in the state capital.
How Nishant Kumar Got the Bungalow
Nishant Kumar was initially allotted the residence at 2 Desh Ratna Marg, a bungalow earmarked for the Assembly Speaker. Following Samrat Choudhary's vacation of 5 Desh Ratna Marg, the more prominent bungalow was subsequently reassigned to the Health Minister. The reallocation is part of a broader churn in official residence assignments currently under way in Patna.
What Nishant Kumar Said
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Nishant Kumar confirmed the housewarming was held following the formal allotment of the government bungalow. When asked whether he would permanently relocate, he said he would reside at the new address as well as continue spending time at his father's residence — indicating he does not intend to sever ties with Nitish Kumar's household. He added that all family members, including his father, had participated in the puja.
Bihar's Shifting Political Addresses
The housewarming comes amid notable residential changes among Bihar's senior political families. The family of Lalu Prasad Yadav has reportedly shifted belongings from 10 Circular Road to the official residence of Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav at Polo Road. Taken together, the movements signal a broader reshuffling of political geography in Patna's power corridor.
Health Department Actions
Beyond the housewarming, Nishant Kumar also addressed the Health Department's ongoing inspection drive. He stated that raids and inspections would continue across both government and private hospitals in Bihar, with the primary objective of improving healthcare quality and ensuring patients receive proper treatment without inconvenience.
Point of View
Even as the party insists on institutional distance. The broader residential reshuffling in Patna's VVIP corridor, including the Yadav family's move to Polo Road, reflects how Bihar's political families treat official state accommodation as an extension of political signalling. These are not merely logistical decisions — they map influence, proximity, and succession in a state where family networks remain the primary unit of political organisation.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nishant Kumar's new official residence in Patna?
Nishant Kumar's new official residence is at 5 Desh Ratna Marg in Patna, located in the city's VVIP zone. It is adjacent to Nitish Kumar's official residence at 7 Circular Road and close to the Chief Minister's official address.
Who attended the housewarming ceremony at Nishant Kumar's new residence?
Several family members attended the Satyanarayan Puja, including former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar. The ceremony was held on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima on 29 June.
How did Nishant Kumar get allotted 5 Desh Ratna Marg?
Nishant Kumar was initially allotted 2 Desh Ratna Marg, earmarked for the Assembly Speaker. After Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary vacated 5 Desh Ratna Marg, the bungalow was reassigned to the Health Minister.
Will Nishant Kumar permanently shift to the new government bungalow?
Nishant Kumar indicated he would reside at both the new official residence and his father Nitish Kumar's home, suggesting he does not plan a complete relocation. He made the remark to reporters after the housewarming ceremony.
What else did Nishant Kumar announce after the ceremony?
Nishant Kumar stated that the Bihar Health Department's inspection drive across government and private hospitals will continue, with the goal of improving healthcare quality and ensuring patients receive proper treatment across the state.
