NCP leaders claim security personnel have not reported for duty since 20 January, the Delhi Police issue clarification refuting claims of security withdrawal
A day after political hullabaloo erupted on reports of the Centre withdrawing the security cover extended to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in the capital, the New Delhi police on 25 January issued a clarification. The police said that no security cover has been withdrawn from the residence of the NCP leader Pawar.
“There is no such development (security withdrawal). Adequate Delhi Police personnel as per rule are deployed at his residence,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Security) ID Shukla said in his telephonic conversation with thenews21.
On 24 January, political atmosphere in Maharashtra turned hot over NCP claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government had withdrawn the security cover extended to Pawar in official residence in the capital.
NCP leaders alleged that security personnel who were deployed at Pawar’s 6, Janpath residence had not reported for their duties since 20 January. They also added that Pawar had not received any official communication from the government in regards to the development.
Speaking to media, national secretary of NCP Hemant Takle said, “It appears that the security cover around our party leader has been withdrawn. We are seeking clarification on this from the authorities.”
Echoing sentiments with Takle was NCP minister and spokesperson Nawab Malik who added by saying “It is nothing but vendetta politics. He (Pawar) is a national president of NCP and for him threat perception is a reality. They may want to scare us but we won’t. We will fight.”
Pawar has ‘Y’ category security cover in New Delhi, while in his home state of Maharashtra, the heavyweight politician has been extended a ‘Z – Plus’ security cover.
