Govt Houses Are Not Bapauti: Samrat Choudhary Escalates Attack On Lalu Family As Bihar Bungalow Dispute Deepens
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has intensified the political battle over the long-running government residence dispute involving the family of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, asserting that official bungalows belong to the public and cannot be treated as personal property.
Addressing a public event in Sheikhpura, Choudhary launched a direct attack on the opposition leadership and questioned why some politicians continue to hold on to government accommodation despite alternative allotments being made. Stressing that public offices and official residences are temporary privileges linked to constitutional positions, he remarked, “Government houses are not ‘bapauti’ and this is not a monarchy.”
The Chief Minister said public representatives should remember that official residences belong to the people and are meant to be occupied only according to rules and eligibility. Referring to his own political career, Choudhary stated that he had lived in multiple government residences over the years without developing any attachment to them and described himself as a “public servant” rather than an owner of state property.
The remarks come as the Bihar government has reportedly renewed pressure on former Chief Minister Rabri Devi to vacate the residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna. Authorities have issued a fresh deadline after earlier notices allegedly failed to produce any movement on the matter.
According to government sources, an alternative official residence has already been allotted to Rabri Devi, but the family continues to occupy the existing bungalow. The administration has indicated that it may pursue further action if the latest deadline is not complied with.
The issue has triggered a sharp political exchange between the ruling NDA and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Rabri Devi has publicly opposed the move and challenged the government over attempts to evict her family from the residence. Members of the Lalu family have also accused the state government of using administrative measures to target political opponents.
The controversy has gained additional attention after discussions reportedly took place at the highest levels of the Bihar government regarding the status of official accommodation occupied by former legislators and political leaders. Officials maintain that the process is being carried out under established rules governing government housing.
Meanwhile, ministers in the Nitish Kumar-led administration have defended the government's position, arguing that state residences should be allocated strictly according to eligibility norms and not retained indefinitely after changes in official status.
