MLCs resent downgrading of security

Taking strong exception to the TRS government downgrading the security given to members in the Legislative Council, leaders cutting across political parties sought to know the reason for the discrimination.

Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy clarified that the government extended security going by the threat perception and reduced it to 14 ex-MLAs and ex-MPs. He, however, said if there was any threat to any people’s representative, it was the responsibility of the government to provide security.

When the issue came up as the short notice question in the Legislative Council here on Friday, Potla Nageswara Rao of TDP said earlier they had ‘two plus two’ gunmen, but now they have only ‘one plus one’ though they have to move around in constituencies exposed to Naxalite threat.

Md Shabbir Ali (Congress) said that soon after the TRS came to power, it held security review meeting and withdrew security to 121 ex-MLAs and MPs. The government withdrew Z category security to former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy.

He said that while security was still continued for retired DGPs like H. Dora, Swaranjit Sen and Aravinda Rao, the government withdrew it for people’s representatives who moved among public.

B. Venkat Rao of TRS asked the government to upgrade security to MLCs representing the areas with Naxalite threat.

Excise Minister Padma Rao said that it was the previous government that downgraded security to MLCs, unless a specific request was made.