Govt refuses Maya, Modi's security wish on par with president, PM

The Centre has shot down the proposals of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat chief ministers Mayawati and Narendra Modi who had sought security facilities similar to that of the president and the prime minister.

Both state governments in separate communications to the Union home ministry had asked for an Advance Security Liaison (ASL) facilities to be extended to them even outside their states.

Under the ASL, all state governments had to carry out searches 24 hours before the VIP's visit and later seal the place and handover a safety certificate to the concerned office of the visiting dignitary.

This facility was available only to the president, the vice-president and the prime minister. This has been extended to the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, as she was an SPG protectee, and the leader of opposition LK Advani as he had been constantly on the target of terror outfits.

The Centre, after verifying the terror threats, declined to extend this facility to the two chief ministers saying it was not possible to bring them under this security rule, the sources said.

Earlier, Mayawati had sought advance presence of elite NSG guards whenever she visits any location outside the state. This was also declined by the Centre.