RJD questions allotment of bungalow to Nitish

Patna: A day after former Bihar CM Rabri Devi was given 15 days to vacate her official 10, Circular Road bungalow, the RJD on Tuesday questioned the allotment of 7, Circular Road bungalow to Nitish Kumar, who has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.“We have no objection to the govt’s order asking Rabri Devi ji to vacate her official bungalow, but we also want to know in what capacity 7, Circular Road bungalow was allotted to former chief minister Nitish Kumar ji?” RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said in a video statement on Tuesday.The BJP said Nitish was allotted the bungalow as he had served as CM for a long period. “Moreover, this bungalow was earmarked for the former CM earlier as well, and Nitish already stayed here in the past when he handed over charge to Jitan Ram Manjhi in 2014,” BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel said, adding there should be no confusion over the allotment.Alleging Rabri was being repeatedly issued vacation notices to insult her, Yadav said she had no “love” lost for the bungalow, having lived there for around 20 years since 2006. “She, being the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, is eligible for the bungalow. Yet she will instantly vacate it if the situation warrants so,” he said, adding the 10, Circular Road bungalow was allotted in her name. Earlier in Nov last year, Rabri was issued a vacation notice by the building construction department.Patel said the notice was issued under official provisions. “The bungalows have been allotted in accordance with the posts the leaders hold, and Rabri has been allotted a new house to suit her current designation,” he said.Amid the controversy, 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow, once the official residence of deputy chief minister, has been temporarily earmarked as an “extended form of 1, Anne Marg — the official residence of the chief minister,” according to a building construction department order issued on April 30, drawing criticism from the RJD.“This is the privilege of the govt. The govt can take their services as per its necessity,” Patel said.