PATNA, May 31 -- Former chief minister Rabri Devi on Saturday refused to vacate the 10 Circular Road residence, a day after the state government issued her a fresh eviction notice. The 67-year-old senior RJD leader also slammed Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary. "I will not vacate the bungalow at any cost. Let the government use force to evict me," Devi told reporters in Patna. Commenting on Choudhary, she said "naya naya mukhymantri bana hai", implying that Choudhary is trying to show his power by sending her an eviction notice. The 10 Circular Road residence was allotted to Devi as the leader of the opposition in the state legislative council. It has been a bone of contention between the opposition RJD and the ruling NDA government after the BJP-JD(U) led coalition government came to power in November. In November last year, a notice was served to Devi to vacate the bungalow, close to the CM's official residence Lok Sewak Awas at 1 Anne Marg, and a new bungalow was allotted to her at 39, Hardinge Road. However, she refused to vacate it, calling the action a "political vendetta." RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family have resided at the 10 Circular Road residence since 2006 after the RJD's poll debacle in the November 2005 assembly polls. Earlier, the bungalow was occupied by Rabri's brother and former MP Sadhu Yadav during the RJD's stint in power. Incidentally, the fresh eviction notice served by the building construction department to Devi on Friday has intensified the face-off between the opposition RJD and the ruling NDA. The residence has officially been allotted to Nand Kishore Ram, minister for dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry. "There is no politics in notices served to former CM Rabri Devi. The 10 Circular Road residence is a government bungalow and has been allotted to Nand Kishore Ram. Earlier too, a notice had been served," said Leshi Singh, minister of the building construction department. On the other hand, RJD state chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav and state spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan said the notice served to Devi is a clear case of harassment and reflects how the ruling dispensation lacks political etiquette towards senior leaders of the state. "There are many instances where designated bungalows for the Speaker, deputy CMs, etc. have either been attached with the CM's house or given to other ministers. Even former CM Nitish Kumar has been allotted one bungalow in Patna and another in Delhi," said Gagan. "What is the logic of allotting a different bungalow when Devi has been residing here for 20 years?" he questioned. "This is not about a bungalow, but about democratic dignity and system. The state cannot make rules for its convenience. There should be transparency and uniformity." Tense moments unfolded outside the 10 Circular Road residence on Saturday evening when a large posse of police personnel was stationed outside the bungalow while sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Sachivalya Anu Kumari reached Rabri's residence. Sources said the SDPO apprised Rabri about the eviction notice and urged her to abide by the government's order. Meanwhile, sources in the RJD claimed that Devi told Kumari that there is a process for eviction of the bungalow and it would take time. The SDPO did not comment on her visit. Yadav confirmed the interaction when contacted. "Devi told the SDPO that vacating the bungalow would take time and there is a process to be followed," said the RJD state chief spokesperson. Meanwhile, LoP Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who is in Delhi, is expected in Patna in a couple of days while RJD chief Lalu Prasad has left for Singapore for a medical check-up. Patna district magistrate Thiyagarajan S M, in a press release, said, "District administration officials have urged Devi to vacate the 10 Circular road residence and move into her newly allotted 39, Hardinge road residence. Formal action will follow after 15 days."...