NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday questioned the increased security cover for Maharashtra home minister and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, sarcastically suggesting that Fadnavis clarify any specific threats that warrant such protection. “Why is our Home Minister so scared, who wants to attack him? Is Israel or Libya going to attack him? He should tell everyone about it,” Raut remarked at a press conference.
Fadnavis currently has ‘Z-plus’ security cover, with additional Force One commandos reportedly stationed in Nagpur for his protection. Raut claimed around 200 Force One commandos were deployed in the city, questioning why the Home Minister had escalated his own security. “The Home Minister, who is a former Chief Minister, has suddenly increased his security…Suddenly, we saw Force One commandos outside his house, with 200 commandos in Nagpur,” he added.
Raut also took aim at Maharashtra’s Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, urging her to disclose the reason behind the security enhancement. Referring to Shukla as the “DG of BJP,” Raut alleged that she had shown bias toward the BJP, especially during the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election. He accused her of “tapping our phones” and providing sensitive information to Fadnavis, raising concerns about her impartiality.
“Can we expect her to conduct fair elections?” Raut questioned, asserting that the control of elections should not be left in her hands. His criticism comes after Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday, seeking Shukla’s removal. Patole’s letter accused Shukla of “clear bias” against opposition parties, pointing to an escalation in political violence against opposition leaders in recent weeks.
Elections in Maharashtra have drawn attention amid allegations of biased policing and security issues, with opposition leaders pressing for impartiality and transparency from law enforcement authorities in the state.