LS Polls: Shahnawaz, Rudy and BSP's Mishra get VIP security

NEW DELHI: BJP leaders Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and Rajiv Pratap Rudy are new entrants to VIP security club after the Union Home Ministry recently accorded a 'Z' category security to these politicians in view of a "potential" Naxal threat to them during the on-going poll season.

The Home Ministry has also brought BSP general secretary and close aide of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, Satish Chandra Mishra, under the 'Z+' category of security with a total of 25 commandos recently being dispatched from Delhi to secure the VIP during his movements in the state.

Both Shahnawaz, who is contesting from Bhagalpur, and Rudy, will be provided armed commandos of the CRPF during their movements in Bihar and other Naxal affected states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

"The security of the two BJP leaders has been brought under a special cover in view of Naxal threat to them. Intelligence inputs suggest they could be harmed by the left wing ultras during poll times," Home Ministry officials said.

A number of other politicians have also been brought under the security cover of the central paramilitary forces which includes Congress' Lok Sabha candidate from Allahabad seat Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' and he has been accorded a 'Y' category security which entails two armed commandos.

The Congress Legislature Party chief in UP, Pradeep Mathur, too has been brought under the same cover by the Union Home Ministry after which commandos have been posted for his mobile security.