Narvekar’s enhanced security irks Sena

MUMBAI: A day after the Maharashtra government’s decision to scale down security cover provided to prominent Opposition leaders, including state unit presidents of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the latter alleged that the move was aimed at suppressing the voice of the Opposition. At the same time, the security provided to Milind Narvekar, personal assistant to Uddhav Thackeray and secretary of the faction, has been beefed up, raising many eyebrows in his party. Mahesh Tapase, chief spokesperson of the NCP, alleged that the CM wanted to suppress the voice of the Opposition. “There is a political conspiracy behind the decision,” he said. “By withdrawing the security of NCP state president Jayant Patil and senior leader

Chaggan Bhujbal, the government probably thinks the NCP will tone down its opposition. But that won’t happen.” Tapase said this will come up for discussion in its state conclave, at Shirdi, on November 4 and 5.

Meanwhile, several Thackeray faction leaders were surprised by Narvekar’s security enhanced from Y+, which comprises three police escorts, to upgraded cover with an escort vehicle. Narvekar had disappeared from public view soon after the Shinde-Fadnavis government came to power, leading to speculations that he would join the Shinde faction. The speculations started again on Saturday, as he was the only leader granted the privilege.

A close aide of Narvekar said that the PA has had security cover for the past 15 years after he faced threats following Narayan Rane’s rebellion in the Shiv Sena in 2005.