JD(U) leader and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary has launched a sharp attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav following the latter’s allegations against former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over security and housing arrangements.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Lalu Prasad Yadav had alleged, “Everything is being done at the behest of Nitish Kumar.”
Responding to the remarks on Thursday, Choudhary said, “Lalu Ji has become mentally unstable. As long as Nitish Kumar was in power, you stayed at the Rabri residence. Now the government has provided you with a separate, properly arranged place, yet you continue to indulge in pressure politics and claim that everything is being done by Nitish Kumar.”
Dismissing allegations of political interference in security-related matters, Choudhary said decisions concerning security and housing are taken by the security committee and the police department. He maintained that there is no political intervention in the process.
The controversy comes in the wake of a recent review of VIP security arrangements by the Bihar government, following which changes were made to the Z+ security cover provided to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. Subsequently, both leaders reportedly sent back the security personnel deployed at their residence, while RJD leaders and workers assumed responsibility for security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Bihar Police Headquarters has issued a clarification on the matter.
In a statement posted on X, the Bihar Police said that both leaders continue to receive full security cover in accordance with the Bihar Special Security Force Act, 2010, and applicable state government provisions.
According to the clarification issued by the Bihar Police, former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has been provided with bodyguards, residential guards, escort guards, a pilot vehicle and a bullet-resistant (BR) car under the provisions of the Bihar Special Security Force Act, 2010.
Similarly, Rabri Devi, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and a former Chief Minister, has also been provided with bodyguards, residential guards, escort guards, a pilot vehicle and a bullet-resistant car.
The police headquarters further stated that, in view of the assessed threat perception, plainclothes personnel from the Special Branch (SB) have also been deployed for the security of both leaders.