Patna: RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday accused chief minister Nitish Kumar's confidant and Rajya Sabha member RCP Singh of being the kingpin of illicit liquor trade in the state.

"RCP gives protection to the liquor and sand mafia," Lalu told reporters at his 10 Circular Road residence. "He gets commission from them. The money from illicit liquor trade directly reaches his house."

On Monday, Lalu's younger son and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, had alleged that Rakesh Singh, the main accused in the Ara hooch tragedy that killed over 30 persons in 2012, met chief minister Nitish Kumar and clicked a picture with him on Sunday. Tejashwi has shared the picture and took a dig at the chief minister, saying the photo had exposed Nitish's double standards. But Nitish later said he was not aware of Rakesh's past and had removed him from the party on getting to know. Rakesh had even been the JDU's block president in Ara.

Lalu went on to allege that RCP extracted money from every district magistrate (DM) and superintendent of police (SP) on a monthly basis. Even the money from Srijan scam went to RCP, the RJD chief said.

"RCP is involved in Srijan scam and I must also say that income tax department was about to raid his house during the last Assembly elections. But throughout the election, RCP stayed away from the state. Prashant Kishor had told me that RCP ran away as he feared police raids."

Attacking Nitish over his dry law, Lalu said: "Liquor is nowadays delivered at home for which the liquor mafia employs school-going boys."

He dared Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj to raid the house of JDU spokespersons, saying they consumed liquor every day. "I challenge the Patna SSP to raid the house of JDU spokespersons. Every evening, there is a liquor party at their house." Prohibition has gone out of Nitish's control, he further said.