RJD state president Mangani Lal Mandal has strongly criticized the Bihar government’s decision to vacate the official bungalow of former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Mandal claimed that the move is motivated by political vendetta. He said that while the government can take any action, the bungalow will not be vacated voluntarily.
Mandal Alleged Government’s Decision
Mandal alleged that the government’s decision is driven by malice against Lalu Yadav and his family. He pointed out that over the past 20 years, despite multiple changes in power, such issues were never raised. He questioned, “When the same house has housed two former Chief Ministers, why was it not vacated earlier? Why is this action being taken suddenly?”
Mandal also accused the Chief Minister of taking this step to gain favor with Prime Minister Modi and the BJP leadership. According to him, the move is aimed at deliberately humiliating the Lalu family, and there is no reason beyond politics for the government’s action.
History of 10 Circular Road Bungalow
The government bungalow at 10 Circular Road in Patna’s prestigious VIP area has been a central hub of Bihar politics for nearly two decades. This was the residence where Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi held their political court and monitored administrative affairs.
The bungalow was allotted to Rabri Devi after Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister in November 2005. The Lalu family shifted there, making it their permanent political base for almost 20 years. Despite changes in government, the bungalow continued to be allotted to Rabri Devi.
Court Orders and Tejashwi Yadav’s Case
In 2015, Tejashwi Yadav became Deputy Chief Minister and was allotted the official residence at 5 Deshratna Marg. After the government fell in 2017, he received a notice to vacate the bungalow. He challenged this in the High Court, but his petition was dismissed.
On February 19, 2019, the High Court ordered not only Tejashwi but all former Chief Ministers to vacate their official bungalows. Facilities such as security and staff provided to ex-CMs were also terminated. At that time, Rabri Devi, as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, was allowed to continue residing at 10 Circular Road.
Why the Government’s Stance Changed
With the formation of the new NDA government in 2025, the BJP’s influence has increased. Several leaders and ministers have been allotted new official residences. Rabri Devi has now been assigned a new bungalow at 39 Harding Road under the Leader of Opposition quota.
According to the joint secretary and estate officer of the Building Construction Department, Rabri Devi must vacate 10 Circular Road now that her new residence is allotted. Similarly, Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu-Rabri family, will vacate his official bungalow at 26 M. Strand Road, which has been reassigned to new minister Lakhendra Kumar Roshan.
The move has sparked criticism from the RJD, which describes it as politically motivated and part of the BJP’s influence over the current state administration. The vacating of these bungalows marks the end of a long-standing political era associated with Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family.
