VVIP security: Sharad Pawar wants less protection, BJP feels 'insecure'

MUMBAI: After the annual review of state VVIP security, Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi government on Sunday enhanced protection cover to a few, and reduced or withdrew it for many, even as senior leader Sharad Pawar sought reduction of his security.

From the opposition BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP), the security cover of several leaders including Leaders of Opposition (Assembly) DevendraFadnavis and (Council) PravinDarekar has been reduced while for others including state BJP President ChandrakantPatil, it has been withdrawn.

As the BJP cried foul, Nationalist Congress Party President Pawar requested Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to reduce his security cover. Ex-minister and senior BJP leader SudhirMungantiwar - who lost his security - took a swipe at the MVA, saying: "I was given security because I come from a Maoist-hit district. It has been withdrawn, so it appears that Maoist activities over. But the (government) must ensure security for the common masses."

Congress spokesperson SachinSawant questioned why the BJP leaders should shout and scream if their security cover is reduced or removed, considering the reduced threat perceptions to them. "Although the Gandhi family and ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh face threats, the BJP acted vindictively and reduced their security after which the BJP people had rejoiced. But the MVA government doesn't hold such an attitude," he said.

Deshmukh and other leaders pointed out how, soon after coming to power in late 2014, Fadnavis had also reduced the secuirty for several leaders including Pawar and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

Following a meeting to security review and threat perceptions held on Friday, the state government issued the revised orders on Sunday on the levels of protection that would be accorded to various personalities.

Celeb criminal lawyer UjjwalNikam has got an enhanced cover from Y-Plus with escort to Z, while Bollywood actor ShatrughanSinha's cover has been increased from Y-Plus to Y-Plus with escort.

In the list for the newcomers to be given security, the personalities are: Legislative Council Chairman RamrajeNimbalkar (Y-Plus with escort), and Congress Minister Vijay Wadettiwar (Y-Plus with escort in Mumbai).

Ministers Sandipan A. Bhumre, Abdul NabiSattar, DilipWalse-Patil and Sunil Kedar have been given Y-level security and Shiv Sena MLA Vaibhav V. Naik from Kankavali in Sindhudurg gets X-level security.

Fadnavis's protection has been slashed from Z-Plus to Y-Plus with escort, his wife Amruta's reduced from Y-Plus with escort to X and their daughter DivijaFadnavis' from Y-Plus with escort to to X, while the security of ShobhaFadnavis, the aunt of DevendraFadnavis, has been removed.

Maharashtra NavnirmanSena President Raj Thackeray goes from Z to Y-Plus with escort, retired Justice M.L. Tahiliyani Z to Y, Union Minister of State for Social Justice RamdasAthawale from Y-Plus with escort to Y-Plus, and Mumbai blasts trial Judge G.A. Sanap from Z to Y.

Former Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik's cover has come down from Y-Plus to Y, while ex-ministers Deepak Kesarkar and AshishShelarhes been reduced from Y-Plus to Y, and SuryakantShinde from Y-Plus to X level.

Darekar and former deputy Speaker NarhariZirwal both will get Y-level cover and those accorded X-level cover include Deputy Chief Minister AjitPawar's wife Sunetra, ex-MLAs PrakashShendge and Rajesh Kshirsagar, besides YuvaSena Secretary VarunSardesai.

In the list of those who lost their security cover are: AmbrishraoAtram (till now, Z-Naxal), state BJP chief ChandrakantPatil and Sanjay Bansode (both Y-Plus with escort till now), Union Minister RaosahebDanve, ex-CM Narayan Rane, ex-minister Mungantiwar and R. V. More (all Y-Plus till now), RajkumarBadole and ex-Speaker HaribhauBagade (both Y till date).

Others who have lost their X-level security henceforth are BJP spokespersons MadhavBhandari, Ram Kadam and Prasad Laad, ex-Congress MLA-MP Marotrao S. Kowase, VHP leader Shankar Gaikar, and ex-Congress minister Kripa Shankar Singh. (IANS)

Also Read: Sharad Pawar understands farming issues, should join NDA: Ramdas Athawale

Also Watch: Akhil Gogoi Named President of KMSS, Mother Attends Party Convention