‘Public Will Protect Us’: Rabri Devi on Security Being Withdrawn

The decision came after CBI conducted a raid at Rabri’s residence in connection with the IRCTC hotel tender case.

The Bihar government on Tuesday, 10 April announced the withdrawal of 32 Bihar Military Police jawans deputed at the residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi, ANI reported. Following the state government's order, the jawans left the premises last night.

Rabri Devi on Wednesday wrote to the current Bihar Chief Minister alleging a conspiracy against her family.

If any untoward incident takes place with me and my family, the Home Ministry will be held responsible.

Rabri Devi’s Letter to Bihar CM, ANI reported

Rabri alleged that her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav, jailed in fodder scam cases, was being subjected to a slow death. She raised suspicion over the medicines being administered to him, ANI reported.

She also claimed that they were willing to leave the official residence if the government asked them to do so, adding that there was no way her family could trust the state government.

“I don't have any fear. I go out among the public and the public will protect us. If God is above, then here we have the public,” the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said after being asked if she fears for her security post the withdrawal of forces.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav lashed out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the decision. In a series of tweets, Tejashwi said they will also give up the security provided to them by the state government in protest as they didn’t need 800 men to protect them.

हम नीतीश कुमार की तरह डरपोक और बुज़दिल नहीं जो अपनी सुरक्षा के लिए 800 जवान तैनात रखेंगे। हमारे द्वारा लौटाए हुए सुरक्षाकर्मियों को नीतीश कुमार अपनी सुरक्षा में लगाकर संख्या बल बढ़ा संतुष्टि प्राप्त कर सकते है।

हम ग़रीब जनता के बीच रहते है जनता ही हमारी असल प्रहरी है।

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 10, 2018

Tejashwi also alleged that the chief minister had sent him a notice to vacate the government residence, he is presently living in.

आज दिन में नीतीश कुमार ने असंवैधानिक तरीक़े से मुझे नेता प्रतिपक्ष के नाते कैबिनेट मंत्री के समान प्राप्त अधिकारों को दरकिनार करते हुए सरकारी आवास ख़ाली करने का नोटिस निर्गत करवाया है। और शाम को परिवार की सुरक्षा कटौती के लिए दूत भेज दिए।

नीतीश जी, और निम्नस्तर पर उतरिए।

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 10, 2018

The decision to withdraw the security came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a raid at Rabri's residence in connection with the IRCTC hotel tender case. RJD leaders told PTI that a CBI team went to Rabri Devi's residence, where Tejashwi Yadav, who stays across the road, was also present. They said the team questioned Rabri Devi and her son, a former deputy chief minister, for close to four hours.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)