The political battle between the ruling NDA and the Rashtriya Janata Dal sharpened on Saturday after Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav announced that he would return his entire security cover, two days after the Bihar government revised the security arrangements of several members of the Lalu Prasad Yadav family.
The move comes amid an escalating confrontation over the withdrawal of Z+ security cover for RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and former chief minister Rabri Devi, as well as a separate dispute over the family’s long-time residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna.
According to RJD leaders, Rabri Devi had already sent back security personnel deployed at the residence in protest against the government’s decision. Tejashwi’s announcement now signals a broader political pushback by the party, which has accused the state government of singling out Opposition leaders.
RJD alleges political targeting
Speaking to ANI, RJD leader Shakti Yadav said Tejashwi Yadav had decided to return all security personnel assigned to him.
“Tejashwi Yadav ji has returned all his security. Take the security away. No security is needed. Whatever security he had, he has announced to return it all. He will walk without security,” Yadav said.
The RJD leader alleged that the Nitish Kumar-led government was attempting to humiliate the Yadav family through its decisions on security arrangements.
“You people have deliberately tried to humiliate this family. What do you want? Should we get them shot in public? This kind of hateful politics is not done,” he said.
RJD leaders have described the withdrawal of security cover as an act of political vendetta and maintained that the party’s political standing does not depend on government-provided protection.
Earlier, party spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav had said Rabri Devi’s decision to send back security personnel was a mark of protest against the government’s actions. He also claimed that the government was failing to accord due respect to Rabri Devi as Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and as a former chief minister.
Security review sparks controversy
The controversy began after the Bihar government reviewed security arrangements for several political leaders.
Following the assessment, the Z+ security cover provided to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi was withdrawn, while Tejashwi Yadav’s Y+ security cover was retained. Security arrangements for Tej Pratap Yadav and other family members were also revised in line with the updated threat assessment and security protocols.
Questioning the government’s decisions, Shakti Yadav asked why a number of BJP and NDA leaders continued to receive security cover while protection for senior RJD leaders had been reduced.
Dispute over 10 Circular Road residence
The security row has unfolded alongside a dispute over the iconic 10 Circular Road bungalow, a residence closely associated with Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD.
The Bihar government has directed Rabri Devi to vacate the bungalow, which has been allotted to state minister Nand Kishore Ram. Officials have stated that alternative accommodation has already been allotted to Rabri Devi at Hardinge Road in her capacity as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council.
The government has reportedly given the family 15 days to vacate the premises.
Rabri Devi, however, has resisted the move.
“They can call the force to vacate the place, but I will not vacate the place,” she had said earlier.
The bungalow has long served as a political nerve centre for the RJD and was the official residence from which Rabri Devi governed Bihar during her tenure as chief minister.