Bihar Government Reclaims 10 Circular Road from Lalu Family

The Bihar government has made a significant decision to reclaim the iconic 10 Circular Road bungalow from the family of Lalu Prasad Yadav, ending nearly two decades of their occupancy. This move comes in the wake of recent political shifts and has drawn considerable attention in Patna, given the residence’s historical association with the state’s political elite.

Background of the Lalu Family’s Tenure

The Lalu family has held residence at 10 Circular Road since 2005, following their long tenure in power, which lasted approximately fifteen years. After Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister and moved to 1 Aney Marg, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi vacated her official residence and was allocated the bungalow located adjacent to the Chief Minister’s house. Over the years, this address has transformed into a significant political landmark in Bihar.

When the Grand Alliance assumed power in 2015, Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s son, was appointed Deputy Chief Minister and was assigned residence at 5 Deshratna Marg. The bungalow underwent extensive renovations, which garnered substantial attention. However, the political tides shifted when Nitish Kumar re-aligned with the BJP in 2017, resulting in Tejashwi being ordered to vacate Deshratna Marg.

Tejashwi challenged the eviction in the Patna High Court but was met with a ruling on February 19, 2019, which mandated that he vacate 5 Deshratna Marg, further stripping privileges from former Chief Ministers. These included former leaders such as Jagannath Mishra and Jitan Ram Manjhi. Rabri Devi retained 10 Circular Road due to her position as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.

Political Shifts and Reclamation of 10 Circular Road

Despite previous political shifts between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan, Nitish Kumar had refrained from upsetting the Lalu family’s hold on 10 Circular Road. However, the political landscape has changed significantly, particularly following recent Assembly elections where the BJP emerged stronger. As a result, Rabri Devi, now the Leader of the Opposition, has been assigned a new residence at 39 Harding Road. This transition has prompted the Building Construction Department to officially notify the family of the handover, necessitating the evacuation of 10 Circular Road.

The legal framework surrounding former Chief Ministers limits the family’s options. Rabri Devi, as a former Chief Minister, cannot claim a residence of such significance as 10 Circular Road. The 2019 ruling by the Patna High Court leaves little room for contesting this decision, as the petition filed by Tejashwi in 2017 was unsuccessful and has further restricted their ability to seek judicial relief.

As the Lalu family prepares to vacate this politically charged address, the reclamation of 10 Circular Road marks the end of an era in Patna’s political landscape. For the first time in nearly twenty years, this iconic bungalow, which has served as a nerve centre for the Lalu family, is set to pass into new hands, reshaping the dynamics of political power in the region.