RJD is challenging the allotment of Patna bungalows to six NDA MPs
Against the backdrop of a summons issued to former chief minister Rabri Devi to vacate bungalow 10, Circular Road in Patna, the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday came out with a list of several Bihar leaders who were allegedly allotted ministerial bungalows in violation of rules.
RJD National General Secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Mangani Lal Mandal State President and the party’s Scheduled Caste/Tribe Cell National President Sheo Chandra Ram have raised questions over the allotment of official residences under the BJP-led NDA government.
At a press conference at the party office, leaders questioned how six MPs — Upendra Kushwaha, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Nitin Nabin, Nitish Kumar, Sanjay Jha and Devesh Chandra Thakur — were allotted bungalows in Patna.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to curb discretionary spending, Mr. Siddiqui said, “The Chief Minister of the country’s poorest state has the most luxurious, lavish, seven-star bungalow in India. Samrat Choudhary’s bungalow is even bigger than the Prime Minister’s residence. He has also tied up with Marg 5, former Deputy Chief Minister, Chief. Minister’s residence.”
The RJD MLC further alleged that Mr. Choudhary had expanded his official residence to more than 15 acres in Patna.
Mr. Siddiqui pointed out that earlier in Patna, two residences — 5, Deshratna Marg and 3, Stand Road — were earmarked for the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. He asked if the Chief Minister is so strict about rules and regulations, why is he not shifting Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav to the previously designated residences?
“If Vijay Choudhary and Bijendra Yadav are living in the bungalows previously allotted to them as ministers, why is Rabri Devi, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar, being treated in an immature, politically malicious, biased and vindictive manner? The government is acting out of jealousy and hatred.” Siddiqui said.
He further argued that the Bihar government had earlier informed the Patna High Court in writing that bungalow 5, Deshratna Marg had been reserved for the Deputy Chief Minister and questioned under what rule it had now been merged with the Chief Minister’s residence.
“Can the government justify under what capacity BJP National President Nitin Nabin is staying in Taylor Road bungalow 3. How were Rajya Sabha members Upendra Kushwaha and Sanjay Jha allotted bungalows in Patna? On what basis were Janata Dal (United) Lok Sabha member Devesh Chandra Thakur, former Minister Devesh Chandra Thakur, two bungalows, Ramgaj Taylor Manga1, allotted bungalows in Patna (now Union Minister) and Nitish Kumar were given bungalows in Patna bungalows despite being MPs,” said Mr. Siddiqui.
He added that none of the former chief ministers are members of the Bihar legislature and Samrat Choudhary should explain in what capacity they were allotted bungalows in both Patna and Delhi.
“If both the former chief ministers were allotted bungalows, why didn’t Lalu Yadav get one as a former chief minister? It is well known that Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi are both former chief ministers, yet they were allotted only one residence,” he said.
Mr. Siddiqui argued that if the government allots a new bungalow to Rabri Devi in her capacity as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, then Lalu Prasad is also entitled to a residence as a former Chief Minister.
He named several ruling alliance leaders who were allotted ministerial bungalows according to RJD like former minister Raju Singh, MLA Karanjit Singh, MLA Manorama Devi, former minister Krishna Kumar Mantu, Taraiya MLA Janak Singh and former MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu.
“The Bihar CM cannot make rules as per his options,” Mr. Siddiqui said when he questioned why Minister Santosh Kumar Suman and his wife Deepa Kumari were allegedly given separate bungalows and Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi were not.
Mr. Mandal, meanwhile, alleged that the BJP-led NDA government in Bihar is not following the guidelines laid down earlier by the Patna High Court regarding allotment of houses.
Published – 1 Jun 2026 17:28 IST