Lalu Prasad Yadav travels without security convoy in Patna amid Z+ row
Synopsis
Lalu Prasad Yadav drove through Patna without a security convoy days after Bihar stripped him and Rabri Devi of Z+ cover — and RJD party workers stepped in to guard the family home. What looks like a routine security review has exploded into one of Bihar's sharpest political confrontations of the year.
Key Takeaways
Lalu Prasad Yadav was seen travelling without a security escort in Patna on 10 June .
The Bihar government recently withdrew Z+ category security from Yadav and former CM Rabri Devi after a VIP security review.
Security cover of former minister Tej Pratap Yadav was also reduced; Tejashwi Yadav and Misa Bharti retained their cover.
RJD party workers were seen standing guard at the family residence after state-deployed personnel were reportedly returned.
Tejashwi Yadav alleged the move was politically motivated and amounted to a vendetta against the opposition.
The Bihar government maintains that protection via the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) remains in place under the revised framework.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was seen travelling through the streets of Patna without a visible police escort or security convoy on Wednesday, 10 June, days after the Bihar government withdrew his Z+ category security cover. The incident has reignited a sharp political confrontation between the ruling coalition and the opposition over what the RJD calls a deliberate targeting of its leadership.
The Security Withdrawal
The Bihar government recently stripped Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi of their Z+ category protection following a stated review of VIP security arrangements across the state. The security cover of former minister Tej Pratap Yadav was also reduced under the revised framework. Notably, security arrangements for Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti were retained.
What Happened on the Ground
Videos showing Yadav travelling without his customary security convoy spread rapidly on social media and in political circles, drawing immediate attention. The development came just a day after he returned to Patna from Delhi. Following the government's revised deployment, members of the Lalu family reportedly returned the newly assigned security personnel stationed at their residence. In their place, RJD party workers were seen standing guard outside the family home, with photographs and videos of the arrangement circulating widely.
Opposition Fires Back
Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the reduction in security was politically motivated and designed to target opposition leaders. He claimed the state government was attempting to compromise the safety of the Lalu family as part of a political vendetta. Misa Bharti also questioned the decision and expressed concern over the security arrangements for her family members. Both leaders levelled their criticism at Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary after returning from Delhi on Tuesday.
Government's Position
The Bihar government has firmly rejected allegations of political bias, maintaining that the move was part of a routine review of VIP security protocols. According to official sources, Yadav and Devi have not been left unprotected — security through the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) and other mechanisms reportedly remains in place under the revised system. The government has not publicly detailed the specific threat assessments that informed the downgrade.
Political Significance
This is not the first time security arrangements for opposition figures in Bihar have become a flashpoint. The controversy underscores the broader tension between the ruling dispensation and the RJD ahead of a politically charged period in the state. With party workers substituting for state-provided security and videos circulating widely, the episode has handed the opposition a potent narrative about institutional bias — one the government will need to address with more than a procedural defence.
Point of View
Not police. Selectively retaining cover for Tejashwi Yadav and Misa Bharti while withdrawing it from Lalu and Rabri Devi invites the obvious question of what the threat-assessment criteria actually are — and whether they are applied uniformly. Security decisions for figures of Lalu Prasad's political stature carry consequences beyond protocol; they signal state intent. The government's silence on the specific review criteria, combined with the timing, gives the RJD's vendetta narrative more oxygen than it might otherwise deserve.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lalu Prasad Yadav's Z+ security cover withdrawn?
The Bihar government withdrew Z+ category security from Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi following a stated routine review of VIP security arrangements. Officials maintain that protection through the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) and other mechanisms remains in place, though the specific threat-assessment criteria have not been publicly disclosed.
Who else had their security reduced in Bihar's review?
Former minister Tej Pratap Yadav also had his security cover reduced. However, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti retained their security arrangements under the revised framework.
What has the RJD said about the security withdrawal?
Tejashwi Yadav alleged the decision was politically motivated and amounted to a vendetta targeting opposition leaders. Misa Bharti also expressed concern over the safety of family members. Both criticised Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary directly after returning from Delhi on Tuesday.
What happened at Lalu Prasad Yadav's residence after the security change?
Members of the Lalu family reportedly returned the newly deployed state security personnel. RJD party workers subsequently took up security duties at the residence, with photos and videos of party workers standing guard circulating on social media.
Has the Bihar government responded to allegations of political bias?
Yes. The Bihar government has rejected allegations of political bias, stating the decision was part of a routine VIP security protocol review. Officials confirmed that security through the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) continues for Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi under the revised system.
