Chief minister-designate says no to Z-plus security again

Delhi’s chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal has refused Z-plus category security, offered by Delhi Police as per protocol. Over 40 security personnel, besides pilot and escort vehicles, are part of the standard security cover.

“If we claim Kejriwal is the janta’s chief minister, he should not be cut off from them. However, there will be certain amount of security as he is in that position and we have to keep it in mind,” AAP leader Ashutosh told media.

Ashutosh added that Kejriwal will be escorted by some policemen for crowd management and screening at a few places where he has possibility of getting mobbed.

To formally reject the security cover, Kejriwal will submit a letter to the Union Home Ministry.

On Tuesday, Kejriwal was offered Z-plus security following AAP’s win in the Assembly election.

“Kejriwal was being given the Z category security until Tuesday, when it was upgraded to the Z-plus category,” Special Commissioner of Police (Security) S B K Singh told Deccan Herald.

The Z-plus security consists of 44 police personnel of Delhi Police’s security wing and also escort and pilot vehicles.

Kejriwal had also refused security offered by Delhi Police during his previous tenure as the chief minister.

He had told police that God would protect him. But Delhi Police were providing him Z category security cover, which consists of more than 20 police personnel, including a PSO.
The Union Home Ministry takes a decision on providing Z-plus security cover, either on the basis of threat perception or the official position of the protectee.

Even after he resigned as chief minister in February 2014, Delhi Police continued to give him Z category security.