The Central government is expected to step up National Security Guard (NSG) cover currently provided to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. Mayawati, last month, had sought protection by the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) for herself citing “grave threats” from terrorists.

According to sources, the reinforcing NSG cover would imply increased number of bullet proof cars, escort vehicles and number of NSG guards. An NSG protection generally consists of a bullet-proof car, two escort vehicles and six to seven Black Cat commandos.

For a privileged few

SPG protection, meant only for prime minister, former prime minister and their families for the UP Chief Minister, is categorically ruled out. Additional security could be extended during the BSP Chief’s travel across the country, they said.

Mayawati currently enjoys “security privilege” to travel upto the airport tarmac in her car in Lucknow and the national capital. The “centralised security” as sought by the UP government is already in place for the Chief Minister, sources said.

As of now about 30 people, mainly politicians, are being protected by the NSG, which was otherwise exclusively trained for anti-terrorist operations in the country. Some of the political leaders under NSG security include L K Advani, M M Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Farooq Abdullah, Mulayam Singh, Jayalalitha, Prakash Singh Badal and Maninder Singh Bitta.

In the past union home ministry officials had recommended withdrawal of the NSG from VIP duty. But it has never been implemented on account of “political considerations,” sources said. The NDA regime had downgraded security of many a politicians  but kept it going for some of its allies.