Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to get 'Y' category security

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge is set to be granted 'Y' category security cover soon in view of his position as the "leader of the single largest opposition party" in the lower House.

Even though Kharge does not have the official status of "Leader of the Opposition" (LoP) in the Lok Sabha in view of the Congress failing to secure one-tenth of the House's strength, home minister Rajnath Singh is learnt to have instructed officials to accord him "positional" security on par with an LoP. Kharge is likely to get 11 security personnel, including personal security officer and residential guards, besides an escort car.

While Delhi Police will handle his security detail in the national Capital, the state governments concerned will arrange the prescribed cover for the Congress leader as and when he travels to their respective jurisdictions.

"The file is in process and the final approval should be in soon," a home ministry official told TOI.

Kharge was recently included in the selection panel for Central Vigilance Commissioner and Central Information Commissioner. Both the CVC Act and RTI Act provide for leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha to be represented on the selection committee headed by the Prime Minister, in the absence of a regular LoP.