Bihar politics and the battle over 10, Circular Road

A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Bihar after former chief minister Rabri Devi refused to vacate the government bungalow at 10, Circular Road in Patna, a residence that has served as the political nerve centre of the Lalu Prasad family for nearly two decades.

The controversy began after the Bihar government allotted the bungalow to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishor Ram as part of a broader reshuffle of official residences.

Eviction notices

Rabri Devi, who was away on vacation when the order was issued, returned to Patna and made it clear that she was not prepared to move out. The standoff has since triggered a war of words between the ruling NDA and the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

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Adding to the tensions, the state government also served an eviction notice to Lalu's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, asking him to vacate his official residence at M Strand Road for another minister. RJD leaders have described the move as politically motivated, with Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya accusing the NDA government of engaging in "vendetta politics".

Bungalow occupancy timeline

The dispute, however, goes far beyond a routine change of government accommodation. Located adjacent to the chief minister's residence and close to the Raj Bhavan, 10, Circular Road is among the most politically significant addresses in Bihar.

Rabri Devi moved into the bungalow in 2006 after stepping down as chief minister following the RJD's defeat in the 2005 Assembly elections. Having vacated the official chief minister's residence at 1, Aney Marg, she was allotted 10, Circular Road under provisions available to former chief ministers by the newly elected Nitish Kumar government.

Over the years, the sprawling estate evolved into much more than a residence. It became the headquarters of Bihar's opposition politics, hosting crucial RJD meetings, election strategy sessions, candidate selections and major media interactions.

Despite being out of power for much of the last two decades, the Lalu family continued to operate politically from the property, making it synonymous with the RJD's presence in Bihar.

Court orders

The legal status of such allocations came under scrutiny in 2019 when the Patna High Court struck down a state policy that allowed former chief ministers to retain government bungalows indefinitely.

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The ruling followed a broader judicial trend that treated such residences as public property reserved for serving constitutional functionaries rather than lifetime political privileges.

Allotment to current ministers

Following the formation of the new NDA government, the Building Construction Department reclassified 10, Circular Road for occupation by senior ministers and deputy chief ministers. In November 2025, authorities formally allotted Rabri Devi a new residence at 39, Hardinge Road in her capacity as Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council.

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However, the family delayed the move, citing health concerns of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Party leaders argued that the existing residence had facilities, including a lift that were essential for the veteran leader, who has been battling multiple health issues.

With both sides refusing to back down, the battle over 10, Circular Road has once again transformed a government bungalow into a symbol of Bihar's larger political rivalry.