Patna: The controversy surrounding the government bungalow at 10 Circular Road in Patna has intensified, with leaders of the ruling NDA and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) trading sharp accusations over the issue.
The dispute escalated after former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, Rabri Devi, reportedly refused to vacate the residence despite receiving notices from the state government.
Reacting strongly to Rabri Devi’s stand, Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President Sanjay Saraogi asserted that the rule of law prevails in Bihar and that no individual, regardless of political stature, can place themselves above established laws and regulations.
“The government’s residences are public assets maintained with taxpayers’ money and are allotted strictly according to government rules and procedures,” Saraogi said. He argued that defiance of official orders undermines democratic values and constitutional norms.
Saraogi alleged that the politics of the Lalu Prasad Yadav family has long been driven by the perception that political power and government resources are personal entitlements rather than public trusts. He claimed that people in Bihar have witnessed the consequences of such a mindset for decades and are no longer willing to accept it.
Criticising Rabri Devi’s reported challenge to the government, he said her remarks reflected disregard for the rule of law and democratic institutions. “In a democracy, the people are supreme. Government rules apply equally to everyone, and therefore, the official residence must be vacated in accordance with the law,” Saraogi added.
He also raised a political question, asking whether Rabri Devi objected to a member of the Dalit community being allotted a spacious government residence, and whether such accommodation should remain the privilege of only a select few.
However, the opposition strongly rejected the government’s position.
Reacting to the eviction notice, Chittaranjan Gagan, the RJD spokesperson, accused the NDA government of abandoning democratic propriety and political decorum.
Gagan argued that Rabri Devi has been residing at 10 Circular Road for nearly two decades and currently serves not only as a former Chief Minister but also as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. He questioned the urgency behind relocating her from the residence.
The RJD spokesperson also challenged the government’s reliance on rules and regulations, citing past instances in which official residences earmarked for constitutional positions were allegedly reallocated for other purposes. He questioned why alternative arrangements could be made in those cases but not in the case of Rabri Devi.
According to Gagan, the issue extends beyond a government bungalow and touches on broader questions of democratic norms, institutional respect, and the treatment of opposition leaders in a parliamentary democracy.
He maintained that transparency and uniform application of rules are essential in governance and alleged that regulations should not be interpreted selectively to suit political convenience.
(IANS)
