Aam Aadmi Party Ministers have refused to take security detail as the party has been pitching to end VVIP culture in the city. All the Ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, have conveyed to Delhi Police in writing that do not want any security from the force. Though Sisodia did agree to have security at his residence, but he declined to have any personal security officer.
It may be noted that Delhi Police has extended Z-plus category security cover to the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Y-category security cover to all six Ministers, soon after they took over charge. The Ministers, however, wrote to Delhi Police requesting to remove the security personnel as they wanted to end VIP culture in politics.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has requested for security at his residence but rejected personal security staff. Similarly, the other five Ministers have also turned down Delhi Police security. According to the threat perception, the Chief Minister is the only one who enjoys Z-plus security despite his refusal to take the same. Delhi Police has been providing 12 armed guards with a pilot and escort car.
Delhi Police’s two guards have been deployed at Sisodia’s residence after his request. Sisodia recently got a new bungalow at AB-17 Mathura Road where he is likely to shift soon. Unlike AAP Ministers, the previous Congress Governments were having Y-category security. A personal security and a gunman would accompany them but there was no escort vehicle.
An official, who did not wish to be named, told The Pioneer that during the BJP’s stint in Delhi, the Ministers were given the same security. “Providing security to the person is based on the threat perception or the positional status,” the officer said.
In the CM’s security cavalcade, two police vehicles always accompany him. An elaborate staff of Delhi Police and Uttar Pradesh Police remained deployed at his Ghaziabad residence. UP Police enhanced his security after he took oath as Delhi’s seventh CM and provided round-the-clock vigil at his Kaushambi residence.