Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi has been directed to vacate her long-standing residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna, bringing an end to nearly two decades at the address. The state’s Building Construction Department (BCD) has now allotted her a new official residence at 39 Hardinge Road, a spacious ministerial bungalow spread across more than three acres.
The allotment order, issued on Tuesday by BCD joint secretary and estate officer Shiv Ranjan, designates the new residence for Rabri Devi in her capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. The decision coincides with the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed government led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, who recently began his fifth term following the NDA’s sweeping victory in the 2025 assembly elections.
Rabri Devi has lived at 10 Circular Road since November 2005 after stepping down as chief minister and handing over the official CM residence at 1 Anne Marg to Nitish Kumar. Over the years, the Circular Road bungalow served as the political nerve centre of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), hosting internal meetings and major announcements. She shares the residence with her husband, RJD president and former CM Lalu Prasad.
Official and Political Responses
Confirming the development, BCD minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary noted that the Hardinge Road bungalow is spacious and appropriately designated for senior officials.
The RJD, however, has responded cautiously. Party spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan stated that they have not yet received the official shifting order and will comment once the formal notification is issued.
Legal and Administrative Context
This reassignment also brings back focus to the 2019 Patna High Court ruling, which struck down lifetime bungalow allotments for former chief ministers, terming them an inappropriate use of public resources. The court had issued notices to the state government and several former CMs—including Rabri Devi, Satish Prasad Singh, Jagannath Mishra and Jitan Ram Manjhi—directing them to vacate their official residences. One such bungalow previously allocated to Nitish Kumar in his capacity as former CM was later reassigned to the chief secretary.
Although Rabri Devi’s occupancy at 10 Circular Road continued under her role as Leader of the Opposition, the latest decision officially ends her stay.
Political Backdrop
The move comes shortly after the NDA’s resounding win in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, where the alliance secured 202 of 243 seats, marking its second landslide victory after 2010. Analysts attribute the result to welfare governance, organisational strategy, and a combined voter base.
Meanwhile, Rabri Devi, Lalu Prasad and their son Tejashwi Yadav continue to face proceedings in the IRCTC hotel corruption case, in which they have pleaded not guilty. The ongoing trial has kept the family under continuous public and political scrutiny.
As Rabri Devi prepares for the transition to her newly allotted residence, political observers say the move signals shifting administrative priorities within the state’s evolving power landscape.
