Patna: A political row erupted on Wednesday after the state government on Tuesday night reduced the security cover of 10 Circular Road, the bungalow where jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad's family lives.

Lalu's wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, and her legislator-sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav sent back their own security to the police headquarters in protest, even as the government claimed it had only withdrawn those security personnel who were posted for Lalu, who is in judicial custody.

Rabri wrote an open letter to chief minister Nitish Kumar, saying that the home department would be solely responsible if any untoward incident happens to her family members. The home department is under Nitish's purview.

As many 20 RJD lawmakers, including former minister Alok Mehta, also gave up their security cover in protest. The government said it had only stuck to the rulebook.

S.K. Singhal, additional director-general of police (ADG), headquarters, insisted that the security cover for Rabri, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap had not been altered.

He said that 56 police personnel have been drafted for Rabri's security and a bullet-proof car has also been provided to the former chief minister, who has SSG (special security group) cover.

Similarly, the ADG said, 27 security personnel have been given for leader of Opposition Tejashwi though he is entitled to 17 security personnel - seven bodyguards and 10 house guards. Tej Pratap Yadav, the ADG pointed out, has been provided 10 security personnel.

Only Bihar Military Police commandos deployed for Lalu, Singhal said, reported back to their battalion headquarters since the VIP (read Lalu) was lodged in jail.

Tejashwi was far from impressed, and demanded to see the government notifications. The police, Tejashwi insisted, "are bluffing and there is huge contradiction between the top officers of the government".