BJP defends 'Z-Plus' security to Manjhi

A day after the Centre accorded 'Z-plus' VIP security cover to Jitan Ram Manjhi, the BJP today defended the measure saying the former Bihar chief minister faced threat to his life from various quarters.

"Manjhi faces threat to his life as he hails from naxal-hit Gaya district. A JD(U) MLA too has made veiled threat in similar vein to him," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters in reply to a question.

Apparently refusing to get drawn into a debate whether the security cover was extended on political consideration to Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM) chief who has allied with the BJP, Modi said the Centre must have made assessment with regard to the threat perception to Manjhi.

The threat perceptions to political leaders are reviewed from time to time by the Centre and the state governments and security cover extended to those leaders who faced genuine threats, he said.

Manjhi floated HAM and joined the NDA after a bitter parting of ways with the JD(U) after he was removed as chief minister in February and was replaced by his predecessor Nitish Kumar.