'Vendetta politics': RJD attacks NDA over Rabri Devi bungalow row
The bungalow at 10 Circular Road, currently occupied by Rabri Devi and her family, has been allotted to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishor Ram
Patna, Jun 1 (PTI) RJD leaders on Monday slammed the NDA government in Bihar over its order directing former chief minister Rabri Devi to vacate her official bungalow, terming the move an act of "vendetta politics".
Reacting to it, state building construction minister Leshi Singh said the current order for vacating is in accordance with the law.
The bungalow at 10 Circular Road, currently occupied by Rabri Devi and her family, has been allotted to Dairy and Fisheries Minister Nand Kishor Ram, a Dalit leader who had been allotted 21 Harding Road just a couple of weeks ago.
RJD principal national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui accused the government of "targeting the opposition" for criticising its policies.
"The beauty of democracy lies in exposing the shortcomings of the government. If the government commits mistakes, it is the opposition's responsibility to hold it accountable. However, the ruling dispensation in Bihar believes that the opposition should always agree with the government, and if it does not, it is targeted in many ways," Siddiqui told reporters.
He alleged that Bihar was a "backward state reeling under poverty and indebtedness", but the government, instead of addressing these issues, was focused on targeting the opposition.
Siddiqui also questioned the government's decision to merge the chief minister's official residence at 1 Anne Marg with 5 Deshratna Marg, which had been designated for the deputy chief minister.
"Samrat Choudhary should explain why the two bungalows were merged to form a combined CM residence and renamed as Lok Sevak Awas while Deputy CMs are living elsewhere," he said.
RJD state president Mangani Lal Mandal said buildings should be allotted and occupied according to established parameters, which, according to him, is not the case in the state.
"The Patna High Court in the late 1990s stated that the government continuously violates established guidelines. Bihar deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav must be aware of it because he himself was a petitioner in that case," Mandal claimed.
He alleged that the government is working with the sole aim of disrespecting Lalu Prasad and his family.
Mandal said the party may consider moving court against the order directing the vacation of 10 Circular Road.
Senior RJD Dalit leader Shiv Chandra Ram alleged that the BJP was using Nand Kishor Ram as a pawn to further its agenda.
"Ram was allotted 21 Harding Road on May 11. Why was there a need to allot him another bungalow, 10 Circular Road, merely a couple of weeks later on May 27? Was there something wrong with the building allotted earlier?" he asked.
He said the government is trying to mislead people, particularly Dalits, by diverting their attention from real issues facing them.
Siddiqui said a number of NDA leaders, including BJP president Nitin Nabin and JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha, "continue to live in their bungalows despite quitting their position in the state government without any objection." He accused the government of being biased in its approach.
"If former CMs Nitish Kumar and Jitan Ram Manjhi continue to live in government-allotted buildings, why are Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi asked to vacate their residence?" he asked.
He claimed that the CM's bungalow has now "become bigger than even the prime minister's house".
"Samrat Choudhary has extended his palatial bungalow on some of the most expensive land in Bihar to more than 15 acres. Should there not be a sense of propriety in politics and democracy?" he said.
Clarifying the government's stand, Leshi Singh said 5 Deshratna Marg has been included in 1 Anne Marg, the official CM residence temporarily.
"When Choudhary ji was deputy chief minister and held the home portfolio, he initiated a lot of work to ensure good governance and bring prosperity to the state. It was practically impossible to shift the entire set-up in a single go when he became CM. It is in this context, 5 Deshratna Marg has been included temporarily in 1 Anne Marg," she told reporters.
Regarding the allotment of 7 Circular Road to former chief minister Nitish Kumar, Singh clarified that the decision was made under provisions of the Bihar Special Security Act in accordance with Z+ security upgrade for Kumar.
The minister shared official orders for both the temporary expansion of 1 Anne Marg and the allotment of the new bungalow to JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.
Singh also clarified the objections made by opposition leaders over the allotment/occupation of government buildings by several other NDA leaders.
She urged Rabri Devi to visit and inspect her newly allotted residence at 39 Harding Road in her capacity as leader of the opposition in the legislative council.
"I urge Rabri Devi ji to visit her new residence and suggest relevant modifications to meet her security expectations. The building construction department will incorporate the suggestions to make the required changes," the minister said. PTI