Though people voted him out in the recent elections and due to disastrous results he failed to get even leader of opposition status, former chief minister and YCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy is demanding security that was provided to him as Chief Minister.
He has approached the AP High Court seeking high-level security that was with him till poll results. In his petition, he requested the court to issue orders to continue the security previously provided to him when he was Chief Minister. He alleged that the coalition government had unilaterally removed his security.
However, the police authorities revealed that they are providing security that is more than needed for him. Only additional security forces, intended for a person in the Chief Minister position, were reduced. But, police authorities stated that as Chief Minister security at an alarming level was provided to Jaganmohan Reddy.
Normally any VIP may not have more than 100 security personnel around him. But a total number of 986 security personnel were provided at his disposal in three shifts, that no other chief minister of the country, even present chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, has. State-of-the-art security equipment, 30-foot high iron fence around the residence, bullet-proof cruiser vehicles were used in his security cover.
A police officer said that the safety of former CM Jagan and his family members was equal to the population of a small village. He brought a special law named Andhra Pradesh Special Security Group Act to the extent that no other Chief Minister in the country has. A commando-style special security group was formed. The annual budget towards his budget was said to be close to Rs 300 crore.
Though presently he is only an MLA, even not an leader of opposition, police are claiming that he has been provided security that was intended for a VIP under Z category.
Jagan’s convoy has two state-of-the-art Land Cruiser bullet-proof cars. Whereas, Chandrababu has only a bulletproof Fortuner vehicle in the Z Plus category, which is in the possession of the National Security Guards. Leaders of other parties are expressing doubts about Jagan’s frequent concern about his safety.