Patna: A fresh political controversy erupted in Bihar on Saturday after RJD chief Lalu Prasad, former chief minister Rabri Devi and leader of opposition in state assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav returned all security personnel deployed outside their official residences in Patna, a day after the Samrat Choudhary-led govt downgraded their security cover.Soon after the security personnel left, RJD workers armed with bamboo sticks took position outside Rabri’s residence at 10, Circular Road and assumed responsibility for guarding the premises.RJD workers, including women, gathered outside the residence and began keeping watch. “It’s our duty to provide security to Rabri Devi ji. Lalu ji has gone to Singapore and Tejashwi ji is also not available right now. We ourselves will take full care of her,” a party worker told mediapersons.A woman worker said party supporters were capable of protecting Rabri. “Enough is enough. The state govt is repeatedly insulting our netas, which we can’t accept any more,” she said.The development followed a video statement by RJD chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav, who said the Lalu family had taken a “bold decision” by refusing to accept the revised security arrangement.“Our party leadership is being insulted again and again, be it in the name of security or the official accommodation. We won’t tolerate such insult, but we also want to caution that the people of the state will strongly oppose if our party netas receive even minor scratches,” Yadav said.He alleged the govt was using issues such as security and accommodation to divert attention from public concerns and termed the move an act of political vendetta.The controversy comes two days after the State Security Committee reduced the security cover of Lalu and Rabri. Last week, the bungalow occupied by Rabri was allotted to BJP minister Nand Kishore Ram, who heads the dairy, fisheries and animal resources department. Rabri was asked to vacate the residence within a fortnight. The bungalow has been the family’s residence for more than two decades.Reacting sharply, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “Rabri Devi ji should not only pretend to return the security personnel, but should also give up the govt bungalow, govt facilities, bulletproof vehicle, facilities equivalent to a cabinet minister and other privileges.”Warning the RJD supporters, he said demonstrating in restricted areas with sticks, batons and spears is not a democratic right but a violation of the law. “Under the IPC and BNS, participating in such illegal gatherings carries a punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both,” he said.
