Mumbai: As Maharashtra is preparing for the assembly elections, security for the Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been tighten up after central intelligence warned that his life is in danger. Quoting information about the possible threat from ultra forces, the central agency apprised the state agencies to which a 12-member Force One team was air dashed to ensure Fadnavis’s security.
This development has occurred only few weeks prior to the voting scheduled for November 20 on total 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, and the counting for which is likely to be over by October 23. There were reports of an alleged move to destabilise Fadnavis leading to a thorough cheque of his security details. For this reason, Force One personnel have been guarding him at his official residence in Mumbai, in his house in Nagpur, and at events he goes to.
Here the rebels insist that Force One Troops should be used to protect high profile places and occasions.
The SIT taking this decision also arises from the rising security concerns over the terrible incident of Baba Siddique’s assassination that was witnessed recently with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang taking cap. Following the murder, Mumbai Crime Branch has kept track of the security arrangements of different personalities across the state amid escalating election tensions. The authorities concerned do not want to leave any room of the slipperiness when it comes to force protection of the deputy chief minister.
Earlier Fadnavis was under Z+ security, which already is one of the highest security covers given to politicians in India. But with fresh inputs on the security threats, a close protection has been placed on him. The Force One unit will not only be seen escorting him in Nagpur but also will have round the clock guarding duty at his home. The measures are intended to smell a rat when possible because the Maharashtra election campaign continues to intensify.
With the days until the election left, protection of influential political leaders becomes the priority once again, which proves the seriousness of the approach to security in Maharashtra during the election campaign.