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Rabri Devi's Residence Shift: Why Patna's Political Move Raises Eyebrows

The Bihar government has asked former chief minister Rabri Devi to vacate her home of twenty years. She's been allocated a new residence on Harding Road for her role as Opposition Leader. RJD leaders are questioning the timing and legality of this decision. This comes amid the NDA's massive election victory that reshaped Bihar's political landscape.

Key Points: Rabri Devi Vacates Circular Road Home After Two Decades

  • Rabri Devi served as Bihar's first woman Chief Minister from 1997-2005
  • RJD leader questions timing and legality of the residence change decision
  • NDA's historic election victory secured 202 of 243 assembly seats
  • Bihar recorded highest voter turnout since 1951 at 67.13 percent
3 min read

Rabri Devi asked to vacate 10 Circular Road residence after two decades

Former Bihar CM Rabri Devi asked to leave 10 Circular Road residence after 20 years, allocated new Harding Road house as Opposition Leader amid political tensions.

"It seems the Bharatiya Janata Party's influence has increased - Shakti Singh Yadav"

Patna, November 25

The Bihar Building Construction Department on Tuesday allotted House No. 39 on Harding Road in Patna to former Bihar CM Rabri Devi for her use as Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council.

Until now, Rabri Devi had been living in her residence at 10 Circular Road, Patna, for the past two decades.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Shakti Singh Yadav on Tuesday expressed surprise over the Bihar government's decision, stating that the people holding the reins of the government are nominal. In contrast, those holding portfolios are considered experienced.

"Rabri Devi is the former Chief Minister of Bihar and is also the current Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council...It is a matter of surprise under which rule they have changed the residence...It seems the Bharatiya Janata Party's influence has increased, and those holding the reins of power are nominal while those holding portfolios are considered experienced. Still, this kind of decision is surprising," he said.

Rabri Devi served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from 1997 to 2005, making her the first woman to hold the post. Rabri Devi became Chief Minister following the resignation of her husband and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in 1997, when he was forced to step down as CM after an arrest warrant was issued against him in a fodder scam case.

Rabri Devi has been the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council since 2018.

Meanwhile, in the recent Bihar assembly elections, the NDA registered a historic landslide victory, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured only 35 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats.

In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats.

Among opposition parties, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) won 25 seats, the Indian National Congress six, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) [CPI(ML)(L)] two, the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) one, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] one seat.

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) secured five seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won one seat.

The Bihar assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13 per cent voter turnout, the highest since 1951, with women voters outpacing men (71.6 per cent vs 62.8 per cent).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This seems like political vendetta. Just because NDA won with huge majority doesn't mean they should trouble opposition leaders. Rabri Devi has served as CM and now as Opposition Leader - she deserves basic respect and stability.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Patna, I know both these locations. Harding Road is actually a better area than Circular Road. Maybe this is an upgrade rather than punishment? Sometimes we jump to conclusions too quickly.
A
Arjun K
The timing is suspicious though - right after the massive NDA victory. Feels like they're flexing their muscles. But honestly, in Indian politics, this is pretty mild compared to what happens in other states. 😅
M
Michael C
While I understand the emotional attachment to a home lived in for decades, government accommodations are meant to be temporary. The fact that she stayed there for 20 years itself might be irregular. Fresh allocation seems procedural.
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Nisha Z
As a woman from Bihar, I respect Rabri Devi for being our first woman CM. But let's be honest - she got the position because of her husband Lalu Yadav. After the fodder scam legacy, maybe it's time for fresh beginnings anyway.
V
Vikram M
The RJD leader's complaint

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