Nitish Kumar Initiates Relocation from Chief Minister's Official Residence in Patna
Patna: In a significant development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar commenced the process of shifting his personal belongings from his official residence on Saturday. This move comes just one day after he took his oath as a Rajya Sabha member in New Delhi.
The Physical Move: From Anne Marg to Circular Road
Visual evidence circulating widely on social media platforms showed household furniture and items, carefully wrapped for protection, being loaded onto tractor trolleys. These trolleys were seen departing from the Chief Minister's official address at 1, Anne Marg, destined for the government bungalow located at 7, Circular Road within the state capital.
According to senior government officials familiar with the matter, this relocation is directly linked to Nitish Kumar's impending resignation from the post of Chief Minister. He is scheduled to formally vacate the Anne Marg residence after submitting his resignation, which is anticipated to occur on April 14.
A Familiar and Strategic Address
The bungalow at 7, Circular Road is not an unfamiliar location for the veteran leader. Officials confirmed that the property is currently being utilized to run the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Nitish Kumar is expected to complete his full transition to this address by the coming week.
This move will place him in close proximity to notable political figures. Once settled, he will become a neighbor to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who reside at 10, Circular Road. Only two other bungalows, numbered 8 and 9, will separate the two households.
Historical Significance and Personal Superstition
A senior government official revealed that Nitish Kumar has long held a particular fondness for the Circular Road bungalow. This property holds historical political significance for him. Following the Janata Dal (United)'s disappointing performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Nitish stepped down as CM, succeeded by Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Before Manjhi occupied the official CM residence, Nitish Kumar himself shifted to 7, Circular Road. It was from this very bungalow that he orchestrated his political comeback, reclaiming the chief ministerial position from Manjhi in early 2015. Furthermore, while residing there, he successfully led the three-party Mahagathbandhan coalition to victory in the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, returning to power.
Senior JD(U) leaders also highlighted Nitish Kumar's personal belief in the luck associated with the number seven. They pointed to several instances: the registration number 777 on his official vehicle when he first became Chief Minister, his entry into electoral politics in 1977, his ascension to president of the Yuva Lok Dal in 1987, and the naming of his flagship governance initiative as '7-Nishchay'. The Bihar government is presently working on the third phase of this '7 Nishchay' program.
The shifting of belongings marks a tangible step in the political transition within Bihar, as Nitish Kumar prepares for his next chapter following his Rajya Sabha membership and anticipated exit from the state's top executive office.
