Former Bihar Chief Minister (CM) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) vice president Rabri Devi has accused the state government of hatching a conspiracy to kill RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, after the commandos in their security cover were withdrawn late on Tuesday night.

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As a mark of protest, all RJD lawmakers have also decided to surrender their official security cover, calling the downsizing of security “vendetta politics by the BJP and the JD (U)”. At least 15 of them gave up their security on Wednesday itself.

“It is a conspiracy by CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Modi and their government to get me and my family killed,” said Rabri, after around 30 jawans, allotted to Lalu and Rabri as ex-CMs, were withdrawn by the government.

Following the withdrawal of the commandos of Bihar Military Police (BMP), Rabri and her sons, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav — who is also the leader of the opposition — and Tej Pratap Yadav — an MLA — surrendered their entire security cover saying “the remaining guards were just for an eyewash.” They also surrendered their official vehicles.

In a letter written to Nitish on Wednesday, Rabri said the Union Home Ministry and State Home Department (under Nitish himself) will be responsible in the event of any untoward incident against her family or herself. “The people of Bihar and our party workers will act as our security cover but I must congratulate you on your action,” she said.

She added, “My husband’s condition is deteriorating and I don’t know if it is due to illness or medicines are being administered to kill him as his sugar level is rising. How can I trust the government?”

Leader of Opposition Tejashwi questioned the need to withdraw security cover around midnight. “What sort of political standard is being set? We have surrendered our security to Nitish ji so that he can increase his own, as he is the most 'namby-pamby' CM of the country,” said Tejashwi, who was also asked to vacate his official bungalow the same day.

A senior officer of Bihar Police said only guards attached to Lalu had returned to the headquarter, but RJD sources said that they were withdrawn last year after the RJD chief went to jail in the fodder scam case.