A political storm has intensified in Patna over the vacation of a government bungalow allotted to former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi. The dispute, centered around the property at 10, Circular Road, took a dramatic turn on Saturday with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) launching a fierce counterattack against its critics.
Allegations of Hidden Treasure and Secret Chambers
The controversy was fueled by sensational claims from a Janata Dal (United) MLC. The leader speculated that a hidden chamber, or "tahkhana", might exist beneath the bungalow. He alleged that this secret space could contain important documents related to land, precious ornaments, and other forms of wealth.
Furthermore, the JD(U) leader raised questions about the manner in which the bungalow was being vacated. He pointed out activities like the removal of plants at night, describing all items within as government property. "All these are being done in the absence of Rabri ji," he remarked, adding to the intrigue.
RJD's Furious Counter-Challenge
Responding with sharp rhetoric, RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav lambasted the opponents for what he called stooping to a new low. Dismissing the treasure hunt narrative, Yadav issued a direct challenge. He dared those making the claims to conduct a thorough inspection at a mutually agreed time.
"They should fix a time and date and get the inspection done. If nothing is found, then they should leave politics," declared Yadav. He suggested that the undue obsession with the bungalow implied the critics themselves believed in a non-existent treasure of "land deeds, gold and silver."
Defending the First Family's Privacy
Beyond the property dispute, the RJD spokesperson accused political rivals of unnecessarily meddling in the personal lives of the party's first family. He defended former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, stating that discussing even the plants bought from a nursery crossed a line.
Yadav argued that some politicians see an opportunity to build their careers by defaming Lalu Prasad Yadav. He also addressed public curiosity about the former first couple's future residence, questioning the need for such speculation. "It is not good to discuss someone’s personal life," he asserted, framing the issue as one of dignity versus political opportunism.
The escalating war of words has turned the procedural matter of vacating a government accommodation into a major flashpoint in Bihar's political arena, with both sides digging in for a prolonged battle.
