NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has expressed surprise over the NDA govt 's decision to accord the highest security cover—Z-plus—to him. Pawar felt that it appears to be an arrangement for securing authentic information on him in view of the upcoming assembly elections. Following the NDA govt's decision, 55 CRPF personnel will now guard Pawar round the clock.
A week ago, a team of officials of the central govt had informed him about allocation of Z-plus security cover for him, along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union home minister Amit Shah. The NDA govt's decision drew stringent criticism from members of BJP and Shiv Sena. In fact, a BJP legislator observed that there was absolutely no need of a special security cover for Pawar as there was no threat to him.
The state govt had provided Pawar with the same security cover. On Jan 8, 2021, the state intelligence commissioner issued an order to provide categorised cover for 26 politicians and prominent persons. As per the order, Along with then governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, then CM Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Lt Gen K S Brar were provided Z-plus security.
In the same order, it was recommended to downsize the security of Devendra Fadnavis from Z-plus to Y-plus, with escort. Fadnavis was given Z-plus security when he was the CM, but when he lost the post and took over as leader of the opposition, his cover was reduced. Now, in his capacity as deputy CM, he has Z-plus security cover, along with CM Eknath Shinde.
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