Govt retracts on NSG cover to VIPs

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today stepped in to defuse the tension over removing NSG security cover of prominent leaders, forcing the government to retract its earlier decision.

According to top sources in the UPA government, the PM told Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today “I have to run this government”, so the home minister should not antagonise other leaders, including the allies, over the security cover.

After Singh asked the Union home ministry not to reduce the security of leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party (SP) boss Mulayam Singh Yadav and others, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Prithiviraj Chavan announced in the Rajya Sabha there would be no reduction in the security cover for the leaders mentioned in the notice.

Both the Houses of Parliament today witnessed uproar over the contentious issue. In the Lok Sabha, BSP and SP members forced Speaker Meira Kumar to stall the proceedings four times even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the House that no decision had been taken on reducing the security cover of different leaders.

“I have spoken to the home minister. He informed me that the report of the review committee has not been received yet. The government has not taken any decision on this issue. When the government will take decision, it will take all aspects into consideration, including the sentiments of the members,” Mukherjee said.

While the SP and BSP members batted for their leaders, the BJP’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, said: “Murali Manohar Joshi is leading the battle against terrorism. He had even visited Jammu and Kashmir to protest against terrorism. The security cover was given to him because of this reason. The government should not change the arrangement.”

In the Rajya Sabha too, the reports of reducing security cover to Mayawati created an uproar forcing two adjournments.

The House witnessed turmoil as soon as it started today. Angry BSP members rushed to the well and started shouting slogans against the government’s reported move. Chairman Hamid Ansari remarked: “This is an extraordinary example of indiscipline in the House. The rights of members are being violated.”

In the Lok Sabha too, Pranab Mukherjee requested the members with folded hands to allow the government business to continue.

“Please allow the government to carry on its business. There are important matters listed in the House today.”