Rabri Devi's 10 Circular Road bungalow allotted to Bihar minister Nand Kishore Ram
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The iconic government bungalow at 10 Circular Road, Patna — long associated with former Bihar Chief Ministers Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad Yadav — has been officially allotted to Bihar Minister Nand Kishore Ram, according to a fresh order issued by the state's Building Construction Department on Friday, 29 May. Preparations for installing a new VVIP nameplate at the bungalow are already under way, signalling the formal transfer of possession.
The Eviction Notice and New Allotment
Prior to the allotment, the Building Construction Department issued an official notice to Rabri Devi — currently serving as Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council — directing her to vacate the 10 Circular Road residence. In its place, the state government has allotted her a new bungalow in Harding Road, an upscale locality in Patna.
According to officials, the newly allotted residence has been fully prepared in line with the facilities, security arrangements, and official protocols applicable to former Chief Ministers.
The Political Weight of 10 Circular Road
The bungalow at 10 Circular Road has long held a singular place in Bihar's political landscape. Over the years, it served as a nerve centre for strategic meetings and political planning by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leadership, making it one of the most influential political addresses in the state. Its transfer to a minister of the ruling alliance carries unmistakable symbolic weight beyond the administrative formality.
Government's Position: Routine Administrative Reshuffle
Sources within the Building Construction Department maintained that the reshuffle is purely administrative, carried out in accordance with established government norms governing official accommodation. Officials noted that ministerial positions are entitled to designated categories of residences, under which the 10 Circular Road bungalow now falls within Minister Nand Kishore Ram's entitlement. The department added that similar reshuffles involving ministerial and senior functionary residences have occurred in the past as part of routine procedure.
Political Fallout and Speculation
Despite the government's administrative framing, the development has triggered intense political discussion across Patna's political circles. Leaders from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition are reportedly interpreting the move through sharply different political lenses, fuelling widespread speculation about its broader implications for the RJD and the state's opposition politics. This comes amid an already charged political environment in Bihar, where bungalow allotments have historically served as visible markers of political power and patronage.
How the RJD responds — and whether Rabri Devi accepts the alternate allotment without a public challenge — will be closely watched in the days ahead.