Patna: The bungalow allotment row intensified on Thursday as elder son of former CM Rabri Devi and Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) president Tej Pratap Yadav demanded that eviction notices be issued to several senior NDA leaders, including former CMs Nitish Kumar and Jitan Ram Manjhi, as well as Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha.Tej Pratap’s remarks come amid the ongoing controversy over an eviction notice served to his mother Rabri Devi, asking her to vacate the 10, Circular Road residence in Patna — the family’s home for over two decades — within a fortnight.Speaking to mediapersons, Tej Pratap questioned why only Rabri Devi had been targeted while other politicians were allegedly continuing to occupy govt bungalows. “If Rabri Devi has been asked to vacate her bungalow, then Nitish Kumar, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha should also vacate their residences. In what capacity are they staying there?” he said, adding that Nitish Kumar should take the lead in setting an example.Responding to the allegations, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said Nitish Kumar had not retained any bungalow as a former CM and that his current accommodation was due to security concerns. “Nitish Kumar became an ex-CM back in 2000 and never claimed a govt bungalow on that basis. If he is residing in an official residence now, it is due to Z-plus security requirements,” Kumar clarified.Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) also rejected Tej Pratap’s claims regarding Jitan Ram Manjhi. Party spokesperson Nand Lal Manjhi said the former CM does not own or occupy any govt bungalow in his personal capacity. “He stays either with his son Santosh Kumar Suman, who is a minister, or with his daughter-in-law Deepa Manjhi, an MLA,” he said.Similarly, RLM spokesperson Nitin Bharti defended Upendra Kushwaha, stating that he was residing in a govt bungalow by paying rent as per rules. “Kushwaha is a Rajya Sabha member and is staying in the bungalow after paying the rent fixed by the Building Construction Department. He is fully compliant with the norms,” Bharti said.The controversy resurfaced after a team of district officials recently visited Rabri Devi’s residence, urging her to vacate the premises. The bungalow has been allotted to dairy and fisheries minister Nand Kishor Ram, who was shifted from 21 Harding Road to the Circular Road residence earlier.Tej Pratap also targeted CM Samrat Choudhary, alleging that the CM had expanded his official residence by merging it with a bungalow meant for the deputy Cm. “Why does the CM need such a sprawling residence spread over eight acres? If he wants such a large bungalow, he should move to Delhi’s Red Fort,” he remarked.
