The Hindu : National : SPG cover for Mayawati not possible, says Jaiswal

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SPG cover for Mayawati not possible, says Jaiswal

Special Correspondent

Special Protection Group, a specialised force meant only for VVIPs
Centre for 100 per cent security to CMs without bringing politics into play

— Photo: Subir Roy

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi is flanked by party in-charge of the State Digvijay Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Shriprakash Jaiswal at a party workshop in Lucknow on Thursday.

LUCKNOW: Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal on Thursday ruled out SPG (Special Protection Group) cover to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. However, the Centre was considering the alternatives she suggested, he told journalists here.

Directives were sent to other State Governments to ensure complete security for Ms. Mayawati during her visits. She could take the vehicle provided by the Airports Authority of India right up to the aircraft.

A Union Home Ministry inventory on security norms was sent to the Chief Minister.

Mr. Jaiswal said provision of a special security cover entailed an amendment to the SPG Act but the long-term repercussions of the move had to be kept in mind before the measure was taken.

More importantly, the SPG was a specialised force meant only for the VVIPs.

Special NSG cover

While normal NSG cover was provided to Chief Ministers with a threat perception, Ms. Mayawati was given a special NSG cover.

(The special NSG consisted of 36 commandos).

Pointing out that Jammu and Kashmir-based terrorist outfits, feeling the heat from the security agencies, could resort to a strike, Mr. Jaiswal said all Chief Ministers and VVIPs were alerted and their security was tightened.

The Centre wanted to ensure 100 per cent security to the Chief Ministers without bringing politics into play.

CD case

On Ms. Mayawati referring the CD case of alleged anti-Muslim campaign by the Bharatiya Janata Party for CBI probe, Mr. Jaiswal said the Centre would first peruse the letter from the Uttar Pradesh Government before taking action on it.

Congress general secretary in-charge for U.P. affairs Digvijay Singh said there was no need for referring the CD case to the CBI for a fresh inquiry. He said Ms. Mayawati had given the BJP a reprieve.

A serious allegation

Describing her charge that the Congress was conspiring to have her eliminated as a serious allegation, Mr. Singh said if she had any evidence, she could forward it to the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister.

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