Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar holds housewarming puja at Patna's 5 Desh Ratna Marg
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
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.