Nitish Kumar vacates Bihar CM residence on Buddha Purnima, moves to 7 Circular Road
Synopsis
Nitish Kumar walked out of 1 Anne Marg on Buddha Purnima — a carefully timed exit that closes nearly two decades of his dominance over Bihar's political nerve centre. His move to 7 Circular Road and a Rajya Sabha seat signals a significant shift from state executive power to national politics.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar officially vacated 1 Anne Marg , the Bihar CM's official residence in Patna , on 1 May (Friday) .
The relocation was timed to coincide with the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima .
Kumar's new address is 7 Circular Road , Patna, already allotted and prepared with appropriate security arrangements.
He resigned as Chief Minister after being elected to the Rajya Sabha , choosing to transition to national politics.
State leadership has passed to Samrat Choudhary , ending Kumar's near two-decade association with the CM's office.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday, 1 May officially vacated 1 Anne Marg — the official residence of the Chief Minister of Bihar in Patna — ending a near two-decade association with one of the state's most politically significant addresses. The relocation, timed to coincide with the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, marks a defining transition in Bihar's political landscape.
The Move and Its Significance
Since early morning on Friday, trucks and vehicles were spotted transporting Nitish Kumar's personal belongings — including furniture, documents, books, and essential items — under tight administrative supervision. His new address, 7 Circular Road, had already been allotted to him while he was still in office, and the residence has been prepared to meet the security protocols befitting a former Chief Minister. Sources indicate he was expected to settle into the new residence by late evening.
The deliberate choice of Buddha Purnima for the relocation is widely seen as consistent with Kumar's long-cultivated public image as a leader who draws on Buddhist values and cultural symbolism in political messaging.
End of an Era at 1 Anne Marg
During his extended tenure as Chief Minister — spanning nearly two decades across multiple terms — 1 Anne Marg functioned as far more than a residence. It served as the nerve centre of governance in Bihar, witnessing crucial administrative decisions, coalition negotiations, and defining political developments that shaped the state's recent history. The sight of belongings being moved out on Friday symbolised the closing of that chapter.
Speculation over when Kumar would vacate the iconic bungalow had intensified ever since the state's leadership formally shifted to Samrat Choudhary. Friday's move brought that period of uncertainty to a close.
Kumar's Transition to Parliament
The relocation follows Nitish Kumar's election to the Rajya Sabha, after which he resigned from the Chief Minister's post, choosing to move to Parliament rather than continue in state executive office. Although the broader relocation process had been underway for several days, it gained visible momentum on Friday, with the move completed efficiently and securely under administrative oversight.
What Comes Next
With the transition at 1 Anne Marg now complete, attention turns to Kumar's role in national politics as a Rajya Sabha member and a key ally within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His move to 7 Circular Road represents not merely a physical relocation, but the beginning of a new phase in one of Bihar's most consequential political careers.
Point of View
Switched alliances, and kept returning to power. The Buddha Purnima timing is characteristically deliberate; Kumar has rarely made a major move without a layer of cultural signalling. The real question now is what leverage he carries into the Rajya Sabha, and whether his departure from Patna's power centre weakens his hold over the Janata Dal (United) machinery or frees him to play a larger game in Delhi.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitish Kumar vacate the Bihar CM residence?
Nitish Kumar vacated 1 Anne Marg in Patna after resigning as Chief Minister of Bihar following his election to the Rajya Sabha. State leadership has since passed to Samrat Choudhary.
Where is Nitish Kumar moving after leaving 1 Anne Marg?
Nitish Kumar is relocating to 7 Circular Road in Patna, a residence that was allotted to him while he was still in office and has been prepared with security arrangements befitting a former Chief Minister.
Why did Nitish Kumar choose Buddha Purnima for the move?
Nitish Kumar chose the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima on 1 May for his relocation, a decision widely seen as consistent with his practice of aligning major personal and political transitions with culturally or religiously significant dates.
Who is the new Chief Minister of Bihar after Nitish Kumar?
Samrat Choudhary has taken over as the leader of Bihar following Nitish Kumar's resignation from the Chief Minister's post.
How long did Nitish Kumar stay at 1 Anne Marg as Bihar CM?
Nitish Kumar was associated with 1 Anne Marg as Bihar's Chief Minister for nearly two decades across multiple terms, making it one of the longest tenures at the state's most politically significant address.
