Patna: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has officially shifted to the government residence at 5 Deshratna Marg on the occasion of Vijayadashami. This bungalow has been a subject of much political controversy, especially during the tenure of former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Allegations have surfaced claiming that Tejashwi removed various items from the residence, including taps and air conditioners, before vacating it. His time in the bungalow saw a staggering expenditure of crores on interior decoration.
Tejashwi Yadav, who first moved into the bungalow in 2015, reportedly ordered granite from Spain and chandeliers from Jaipur, spending an estimated ₹5 crores on its interior. Despite the luxurious setup, Tejashwi never completed his term in the residence, a pattern that has persisted for every Deputy CM who has stayed at 5 Deshratna Marg. In 2017, when the Mahagathbandhan government collapsed, Tejashwi was asked to vacate the bungalow for the new Deputy CM, Sushil Kumar Modi, sparking a political battle.
Sushil Modi, upon moving into the residence, criticized the extravagant spending, claiming it exceeded that of even the Prime Minister’s residence. He highlighted the installation of 44 air conditioners, some even in bathrooms, and luxury furniture worth lakhs. Modi alleged that Tejashwi had misused government funds to transform the bungalow into what he described as a “five-star hotel.”
In 2017, Tejashwi vacated the bungalow following a court order that imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on him. However, when he left, several items, including taps, geysers, and air conditioners, were allegedly missing. This prompted further accusations, with posters appearing in Patna labeling Tejashwi as a “tap thief.”
Tejashwi responded to the allegations, claiming that they were baseless and politically motivated. He stated that everything had been recorded and that he had handed over the video footage to the Building Construction Department. He also mentioned plans to take legal action against those making the allegations.
The residence at 5 Deshratna Marg remains shrouded in controversy, with no Deputy CM being able to complete their term while staying there. The ongoing political tussle surrounding the bungalow continues to fuel tensions in Bihar’s political landscape.
