Everyone safe under our rule, BJP tells Azam
LUCKNOW:The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has advised senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan to not be ‘afraid’ just because his security cover has been reduced.
“He shouldn’t worry because this is the BJP government and not that of the Samajwadi Party,” BJP spokesman Manish Shukla said, responding to Khan telling reporters that he had received a life threat on the phone hours after his security was reduced to Y category.
Khan will now be allowed only about three security personnel against the nearly 10 security guards that followed him when he enjoyed Z-security.
Two days ago, the UP government withdrew or reduced security cover of over 100 politicians in the state.
While the Z-plus security of former chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav wasn’t changed, security of Akhilesh’s wife and Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav, Mulayam’s brother Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav, among various other politicians, was reduced.
Azam Khan too was among those whose security was reduced and, in his typical style, he hinted that despite being at risk his cover was reduced. His claim led to the BJP counter attack.
“UP is now safe so he shouldn’t worry. During the previous regime, there were several people who got security and indulged in anti-social activities. Azam Khan must have thought of the plight of the common man when those in power misused security. It’s time we should stop politicising security,” Shukla said.
The BJP government has withdrawn or reduced security after a proper review of actual threat perception, he said.
“Under BJP rule, all are equal. We feel instead of guarding a few, we should guard all. For us, everyone is a VIP and each life is important,” he added.
KHAN WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY ABOUT THREE SECURITY PERSONNEL AGAINST THE NEARLY 10 SECURITY GUARDS THAT FOLLOWED HIM WHEN HE ENJOYED ZSECURITY.