• Source:JND

The Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government in West Bengal decided to remove the Z-plus security cover provided to Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee following a comprehensive security review. The additional security personnel and special pilot car facility allotted to Abhishek Banerjee will be discontinued. Banerjee had received Zplus security for more than 10 years before it was scaled down when TMC was defeated in the recent election.

The development came after new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held his first cabinet meeting in Nabanna on Monday. The ministers discussed issues related to the security cover of politicians. It was then decided if there was no serious threat to a politician, then unnecessary security arrangements should not be provided.

Adhikari also asked why government money should be spent merely to display influence. Administrative sources told IANS news agency that Abhishek Banerjee’s security arrangements will now be regulated as per the guidelines of the Union Home Ministry.

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Abhishek will now be provided only the standard security cover available to Members of Parliament. The decision came after visible changes in security arrangements outside the residences of former CM Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek following the Trinamool Congress’s electoral defeat. Abhishek’s security was upgraded to the Z+ category in 2015 after being slapped by an engineering student during a public meeting. Till recently, he was seen travelling with a pilot car multiple times.

However, police officers have started to remove security deployment, scanner machines, and surveillance installations from multiple properties linked to Abhishek, including addresses on Harish Mukherjee Road, Kalighat Road, and Camac Street.Additionally, security arrangements outside the residence of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were removed.

The new CM, Suvendu Adhikari, announced six decisions of the government. These included the granting of land to the BSF, changes in officers' training, relaxation of age in job recruitment, immediate implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, and land rights for refugees and displaced persons. The CM also promised the benefits of Ayushman Bharat to the state.

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The BJP won the West Bengal Assembly elections with a dramatic victory, gaining 207 out of 294 seats. The victory is significant as it marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party has assumed power in the state.

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