New Delhi:
Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh are fighting to retain their NSG commandos, in the face of a Home Ministry move to cut down VIP security.
It's one issue where Lalu Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati were all on the same page - the government's intentions are honourable, but why do they often not get implemented?
"If you want to withdraw our security, if there is any attack on us, you should be ready for getting punished. People who are behind such decisions will be responsible," said Lalu Prasad Yadav.
"There have been attacks on us , there have been threat to our life. If anything happens to us, home minister will be responsible," said Mulayam Singh.
About 430 VIPs are given various levels of security, but recent reviews suggest as many as 200 either don't qualify or face no specific threat.
Just how many people should be protected by these crack commandoes is reviewed periodically by the Union Home Ministry but political pressure gets the better of the review for security.
Consider this:
- Shivraj Patil is protected by nearly 200 policemen that includes 80 men for his daughter-in-law and grandchildren
- Former DG NSG J K Dutt is protected by 60 policemen
- Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh has 120 policemen to protect him
- Varun Gandhi, BJP's Pilibhit MP, has about 30 personnel and escort vehicles
But the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has no security at all. He has refused any cover despite the sensitive nature of his job - perhaps as a message to those who are clinging on to their security cover. But clearly, the message has not registered.