CRPF urges Sharad Pawar to accept Z-Plus security ahead of Maharashtra Elections
CRPF urges Sharad Pawar to accept Z-Plus security ahead of Maharashtra Elections
Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will again approach Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, urging him to accept Z-plus security. This comes in light of the recent killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique on October 12 in Mumbai.
Despite the Centre’s approval of Z-plus security for Pawar in August, the Rajya Sabha MP continues to be guarded by the Maharashtra police and has yet to accept the CRPF’s cover. He previously expressed concern that the security offer might be a way to gather information about him ahead of the November 20 elections.
Z-plus security is the highest category of protection, involving four dozen armed personnel, escort vehicles, and an ambulance. Pawar is the second senior politician to turn down CRPF protection, following Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is also guarded by state police.
CRPF officials will reach out again to Pawar’s office to seek his consent, which is legally required before paramilitary forces take over a leader’s security. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted Z-plus security, while Union Minister Chirag Paswan was granted Z-category protection on October 10.
Baba Siddique, 66, a prominent NCP leader, was shot dead in Bandra. His murder has heightened security concerns, especially for political figures. Actor Salman Khan’s security has also been increased due to threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Maharashtra’s assembly elections will be held on November 20, with results announced on November 23.
