New Government Allots Alternative Residence to Opposition Leader
The Bihar building construction department has allocated a new bungalow to former chief minister and leader of opposition in the legislative council Rabri Devi, signaling a potential end to her two-decade stay at her current residence.
The order was issued on Tuesday, barely five days after the new NDA government took oath in the state. The timing of this decision has sparked political discussions across Patna.
Official Order Details New Allocation
According to the official order issued by the building construction department, House No. 39 on Hardinge Road in Patna has been earmarked for housing the leader of opposition in the Bihar legislative council from the central pool.
The letter was signed by joint secretary-cum-estate officer Shiv Ranjan, who confirmed the development to media sources. "Yes, the order was issued today. All ministers were issued bungalows and so was the leader of opposition in the state legislative council, which is a post equivalent to a minister," Ranjan stated without offering further explanation.
Comparative Analysis of Properties
A building construction department officer revealed that the newly allotted bungalow offers more space than Rabri Devi's current residence. The Hardinge Road property spans three acres, significantly larger than the approximately one acre available at 10 Circular Road where she has lived for the past 20 years.
Political analysts suggest this allotment clearly indicates that Rabri Devi will need to relocate from her long-time home. "There are very few examples of leaders holding two government bungalows at a time," a political expert commented, highlighting the implication behind the new allocation.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has reacted strongly to the development, with spokesperson Ejaz Ali Ahmad alleging political vendetta behind the move. "The Nitish Kumar government has acted under pressure from the BJP out of sheer vengeance barely five days after returning to power," Ali told media sources on Tuesday.
The RJD spokesperson emphasized that the Lalu Prasad family has never compromised on its political ideology. He further pointed to election campaign rhetoric, stating that both the Prime Minister and Union home minister consistently targeted the Lalu family during assembly poll campaigns.
This development marks one of the early significant decisions by the newly formed NDA government in Bihar and sets the stage for potential political confrontations in the coming days.
