The political temperature in Bihar has risen dramatically after former chief minister Rabri Devi was served an eviction notice for her government bungalow in Patna. The development sets the stage for a major confrontation between the ruling government and opposition parties in the state.
Eviction Notice Sparks Political Firestorm
The Estate Department of the Bihar government officially served the eviction notice to Rabri Devi on Tuesday, demanding that she vacate her current residence at 10, Circular Road in Patna. This upscale address has been home to the prominent political family for decades and holds significant symbolic value in Bihar's political landscape.
The notice gives the former chief minister until April 22 to vacate the premises, a deadline that has immediately drawn strong reactions from opposition parties, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Party leaders have condemned the move as politically motivated and vowed to resist what they describe as "vendetta politics."
Historical Context and Political Implications
Rabri Devi, who served as Bihar's chief minister from 1997 to 2005, is the wife of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. The couple represents one of the most influential political families in Bihar politics. The current residence in question has been their family home since Lalu Prasad Yadav first became chief minister in 1990.
The timing of the eviction notice is particularly significant, coming amid ongoing political realignments in the state. The Nitish Kumar-led government has been implementing a broader policy of reclaiming government accommodations from former officials, but opposition parties see the targeting of prominent political figures as selective enforcement.
RJD leaders have pointed out that the notice comes just as the party has been gaining political momentum, suggesting the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance is attempting to undermine their opposition. The party has announced plans to stage protests and legal challenges against the eviction order.
Broader Political Battle Lines Drawn
This eviction notice represents more than just a property dispute—it has become a flashpoint in Bihar's ongoing political wars. The RJD has characterized the action as an attack on the entire opposition and has promised to make it a major political issue in the coming days.
Political analysts suggest this move could backfire for the ruling coalition by providing the opposition with a sympathetic cause around which to mobilize support. The imagery of a former chief minister being forced from her long-time residence could generate public sympathy, particularly among the RJD's traditional support base.
The situation also highlights the ongoing tensions between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Lalu Prasad Yadav family, whose political rivalry has shaped Bihar politics for decades. This latest development adds another chapter to their complex political relationship.
As the April 22 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds. The RJD has indicated it will explore all legal options to challenge the eviction, while the government appears determined to enforce its housing policy uniformly. The outcome of this confrontation could have significant implications for Bihar's political landscape in the lead-up to future elections.
