The Center has given CRPF security cover to six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who recently defected to the camp led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The CRPF cap, which was allotted on Monday, is in addition to the Y-plus security category introduced by the Maharashtra Police on June 17.
An official familiar with the matter, requesting anonymity, said: “CRPF personnel have taken over security responsibility and will be deployed primarily as Personal Security Officers (PSOs) for the six Members of Parliament. Security provided by Maharashtra Police will also continue. There is enhanced protection for the Members of Parliament.”
As part of the Y-category security cover of the CRPF, each of the six MPs will have at least two CRPF PSOs responsible for their security across the country.
“There was a threat assessment conducted by central agencies following the recent developments in Maharashtra. It was then concluded that the security cover provided by the state police needed to be strengthened. CRPF teams will work alongside the state police for all MPs,” the official quoted above added.
The six MPs, including Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchor, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtekar, Umraji Nimbalkar and Sanjay Patel, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on June 22 in the presence of the party president, strengthening its presence in Parliament and boosting the NDA’s numbers.
If the splinter group is recognized by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the strength of the Shinde-led Sena in the Lok Sabha will rise to 13, making it the largest constituent of the NDA from Maharashtra. The number of votes for the NDA will rise to 299 votes, which is 61 votes short of a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
On June 17, the Maharashtra Home Ministry granted Y-plus category security to the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who skipped the party’s parliamentary meeting and were scheduled to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Each member is provided with 11 security personnel and an escort vehicle based on threat perception.
Operations control mission
