The Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government in West Bengal has decided to withdraw the Z-plus security cover provided to Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee after a comprehensive security review.
A government official told IANS that the additional security personnel and special pilot car facility allotted to Abhishek Banerjee will no longer remain in force. Abhishek had enjoyed Z+ security for more than 10 years, before it was scaled down when TMC was defeated in the recent election.
The decision came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held several meetings in Nabanna on Monday, where issues related to the security cover of politicians were reportedly discussed. The CM conveyed that if there was no serious threat to a politician, then unnecessary security arrangements should not be provided.
Adhikari also questioned why government money should be spent merely to display influence. Administrative sources told IANS that Abhishek Banerjee’s security arrangements will now be regulated as per the guidelines of the Union Home Ministry.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Security
According to the Times of India, Abhishek will now be provided only the standard security cover available to Members of Parliament. The decision came after visible changes in security arrangements outside the residences of former CM Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek following the Trinamool Congress’s electoral defeat.
Abhishek’s security was upgraded to Z+ category in 2015 after being slapped by an engineering student during a public meeting. Till recently, he was frequently seen travelling with a pilot car.
However, police have started removing security deployment, scanner machines and surveillance installations from multiple properties linked to Abhishek, including addresses on Harish Mukherjee Road, Kalighat Road and Camac Street.
Meanwhile, security arrangements outside the residence of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also curtailed. Within 24 hours of the change of government in the state, the barricades positioned at the entrance of the lane leading to her residence were removed.
