Patna: The official residence of Nitish Kumar in Patna is being vacated, with his belongings shifted from 1 Aney Marg to 7 Circular Road, fuelling speculation that the Bihar chief minister is preparing to step down.
Reports suggest Nitish, who recently took oath as a Rajya Sabha member, may tender his resignation next week, as discussions over the formation of a new government intensify following the end of Kharmas, an inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar.
The move marks a return to 7 Circular Road, a property he has previously occupied. After stepping down as chief minister in 2014 following a poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, he stayed at the same residence while Jitan Ram Manjhi held office. Kumar later returned to 1 Aney Marg upon resuming the chief ministership.
Located in one of Patna’s most secure zones, the 7 Circular Road residence is heavily guarded, with high boundary walls, multiple security checkpoints and round-the-clock surveillance through CCTV systems. The compound, which has until now functioned largely as an extension of the chief minister’s office, is set to become Kumar’s primary residence.
The bungalow itself is expansive, with landscaped lawns, a water body used for rituals during Chhath Puja, and dedicated walking areas. Surrounded by greenery, it reflects Kumar’s preference for a simple and nature-oriented living environment.
The shift also places Kumar in close proximity to his long-time political rival Lalu Prasad Yadav, whose residence lies roughly 200 metres away. The relocation from 1 Aney Marg — widely regarded as the centre of political power in Bihar — signals a potentially significant transition in the state’s political landscape.
