Patna: RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav on Saturday sat outside the residence of former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, claiming that the party’s top leaders “returned” the security cover provided to them by the NDA government in the state.
Yadav, a former MLA, sat in front of the gate of the 10, Circular Road bungalow, alleging that the proverbial first family of his party was indignant over “repeated insults by the government” and the RJD rank and file would, therefore, take care of their security needs on their own.
The high drama unfolded two days after the state home department announced that the security cover provided to Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad, both former CMs, and their family members, including younger son Tejashwi Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, was being downgraded.
Accusing the government of endangering the lives of opposition leaders, Yadav said the repeated decisions regarding security and official accommodation reflected a deliberate attempt to insult the RJD leadership.
The controversy follows another recent dispute over the allotment of the 10, Circular Road bungalow to BJP leader and minister Nand Kishor Ram. Rabri Devi had strongly objected to the move and challenged Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to evict her from the residence by force if the government wished to reclaim it.
Leaders of the ruling NDA, however, dismissed the protest and defended the government’s decision. BJP leader and former minister Sanjay Saraogi said security arrangements are determined by a designated committee and noted that Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad continue to receive the protection due to former chief ministers.
Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also maintained that security categories are assigned based on threat assessments and urged Rabri Devi to accept the government’s decision.
