Mamata's lesser-known nephew may get Z+ security: Bengal's tax payers to pay for the slap?

Of the many ironies that make up India, one is who the government elected by the civilians deems important to protect zealously. In India’s elaborate security hierarchy, Z category security is fairly high and Z plus category considered the second highest after SPG - the best that the government machinery can offer to keep an individual away from harm. Among recent recipients of Z security are Muzaffarnagar MLA and riot accused Sangeet Som and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. However, while the entire country fretted over the absurdity of such people getting such expensive, high voltage security cover, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had quietly made sure that her nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee also got Z category security. Now, after the Z category security could not prevent Banerjee from getting slapped on stage during a public rally, the Kolkata Police is mulling providing Z plus category security to the CM’s nephew. Mamata Banerjee herself enjoys Z plus security like most other chief ministers. A report on The Indian Express states: “A top police official, requesting anonymity, said a committee, consisting of senior police officials, the Home Minister (Banerjee holds the portfolio) and the Home Secretary, reviewed the threat perception to Abhishek soon after he was slapped by a youth Sunday during a Trinamool Youth Congress meeting.” [caption id=“attachment_2033795” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Mamata Banerjee and her nephew. Agencies.[/caption] TMC minister Partha Chatterjee justified the proceedings saying it was natural to re-evaluate the threat perception to the CM’s nephew while the opposition raged about why a ‘prince’ needed such a high level of security. According to reports while Z category security means that an individual is escorted by 22 security personnel from either the local police or CRPF and one car. Z+ security means an individual will be always escorted by 36 NSG commados. “They are armed with sophisticated MP5 guns and modern communication gadgets and each member of the team are adept in martial arts and unarmed combat skills,” notes Wikipedia_,_ adding that only 17 other people enjoy those privileges in India. Just to put the cost in context, industrialist Mukesh Ambani is said to be paying Rs 15 to Rs 16 lakh a month for Z category security, apart from providing accommodation to his security personnel. Obviously then, an upgraded security cover provided to Abhishek Banerjee will cost much more than that every month and will be paid for by the state’s exchequer. Last year, it was revealed that Rs 341 crore was spent in Delhi alone to provide protection to VIPs. An affidavit filed by the Supreme Court by the Delhi government said, “A list of dignitaries who have been provided Z+ security will be produced before this court in a sealed cover. Similarly, approximately 376 individuals have been provided security cover as central protectees and 83 individuals as local protectees and a list of such persons will also be produced in a sealed cover.” Maybe, that could come as a consolation to Trinamool Congress who will be facing strong criticism if they decided to upgrade Abhishek Banerjee’s security to Z-plus category. However, it must be pointed out here that Abhishek, an MP from Diamond Harbour in West Bengal is not one the most easily recognised political personalities in West Bengal. In fact, he is a bit of a greenhorn and only decided to take the plunge into politics when it was favourable for him and the Trinamool Congress was on the cusp of coming to power in the state. Understandably, apart from being Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, there is nothing to suggest that he is under grave threat. Most of Bengal possibly can’t recognise him right away too, given that he has no remarkable track record as a politician. The opposition too has not quite acknowledged his relevance in the politics of Bengal, before the slap incident took place. One can say with some conviction that getting slapped is the most significant thing of Abhishek’s entire political career. Spending a few crores to provide him with the kind of security chief ministers of states enjoy, therefore, is an exercise in vanity that several other politicians in the country are guilty of. However, one must be reminded, Mamata Banerjee’s brand of pro-grassroots politics then comes directly at odds with splurging on a political non-entity’s security, just because he is the CM’s nephew. In fact, the reason why Banerjee rose to power was because she vowed to fight the CPM’s nepotism, corruption and biased practices tooth and nail. In her simple sari and chappal, Mamata has been considered the quintessential aam aurat, a representative of the working class fighting for their rights. That image has taken a beating following the Saradha scam and now, a decision to overspend on her nephew’s security could further strengthen the idea that she is no more the maatir maanush (daughter of the soil). Last year, the Supreme Court had questioned the logic behind providing so many ‘VIPs’ security in India when there are just 127 policemen for 1 lakh people in the country. Banerjee, for a long time, used to be the political figure, who would pose a similar question. Now time will tell if Bengal has lost that politician.