Rumour mills abuzz over timing of ‘Y’ category security to Maurya

LUCKNOW: The state government decision to provide ‘Y’ category security to national general secretary of the BSP and leader of opposition in the Legislative Assembly Swami Prasad Maurya has set the rumour mills abuzz as it came right before the crucial meeting of the three-member committee on Thursday (which was postponed) for the selection of a new Lokayukta.

A senior BSP leader on condition of anonymity said the state government wished to keep Maurya in good humour before the meeting.

He was the one who had raised the demand for a fresh meeting of the committee comprising the chief minister, leader of opposition and chief justice of the Allahabad High Court after governor Ram Naik objected the appointment of justice (retd) Ravindra Singh on the post of Lokayukta.

Maurya had ter med the appointment as illegal and unconstitutional.

The state government was in a fix after the governor did not give his assent to UP Lokayukta and Up Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015. Maurya could be a trouble shooter when the state government decided to call a fresh meeting of the committee to select new Lokayukta, it was felt.

The BSP had been demanding enhancement in Maurya’s secu- rity ever since he was elected leader of the opposition in 2012. BSP members raised the issue even on the floor of the assembly.

Their demand was countered by the ruling party which said the Bahujan Samaj Party government did not provide any security to Shivpal Singh Yadav as leader of the opposition from 2007-12.

On Tuesday, Maurya was informed about the decision to provide ‘Y’ security and by evening one dozen security personnels were deployed at his residence in Vipul Khand. Maurya said the state government might have taken the decision after anaylizing his security needs.

“It’s nothing new. Earlier too the state government had increased the security of the leader of the opposition,” he said.

Principal Secretary, Home, Debashish Panda admitted ‘Y’ category security had been provided to Maurya and cops deployed at his residence.

It’s nothing new. Earlier too the state government had increased the security of the leader of the opposition

SWAMI PRASAD MAURYA, BSP leader