Patna: The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday rejected RJD chief Lalu Prasad's allegation that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was behind the Bihar government's decision to downgrade the security cover provided to him and former chief minister Rabri Devi.
Reacting sharply to Lalu's remarks, minister Ashok Chaudhary said, "He stayed at Rabri Devi's residence as long as Nitish Kumar was in power. Now that the government has provided him with separate, proper accommodation, he is still engaging in pressure politics and claiming that Nitish is orchestrating it all."
Dismissing allegations of political interference in decisions related to security and accommodation, Chaudhary stated that the security committee and the police department independently take such decisions.
Lalu on Wednesday accused his political rival and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar of being responsible for the Bihar government's decision to downgrade his security cover. Recently, the NDA government downgraded the 'Z-plus' security cover of former chief ministers Lalu and Rabri Devi and directed them to vacate the official accommodation at 10, Circular Road.
Another minister, Madan Sahni, said Lalu had stayed at the residence for nearly 20 years and no one had asked him to vacate it during that period. "Now that the government has changed, the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the building construction department and the security committee. Lalu ji should not have named Nitish in this matter," he said.
The Bihar Police also clarified that adequate security is being provided to both Lalu and Rabri Devi in accordance with prescribed norms. In a post on X on Wednesday, the police said security arrangements for the two leaders were being maintained as per established provisions.
Under the Special Security Group (SSG) Act, 2010, Lalu has been provided bodyguards, residence guards, escort guards, a pilot vehicle and a ballistic-resistant vehicle. Personnel from the special branch in plainclothes have also been deployed for additional surveillance.
Police said Rabri has similarly been provided bodyguards, residence guards, escort guards, a pilot vehicle and a ballistic-resistant vehicle, along with other necessary security arrangements.
