Maharashtra: 48 MLAs who supported Eknath Shinde to get round-the-clock Y plus security

Mumbai: Y+ security has been provided to 48 ministers including Shiv Sena MLAs and a few independents who supported current Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde. A round-the-clock Y+ security cover will be given to the leaders. Y+ security cover includes one escort vehicle with two personnel security officers (PSOs), along with four guards working in two shifts.

The MLAs reached Mumbai on Saturday evening. They are set to leave for their constituencies after the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly. A senior Maharashtra police official noted that the MLAs have been given the security cover keeping in mind that 'post the floor test they might be vulnerable to attacks and the input from State Intelligence Department (SID).'

The senior official noted that around 500 police personnel will be deployed for the same.

In the aftermath of attacks on offices of several rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, the local police stations in some of the regions of Mumbai where some MLAs belong have been asked to ramp up patrols and increase security outside their homes and offices.

Earlier, the Center had provided Y+ category security cover of armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. The MLAs who were accorded the CRPF security cover, include Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane, Prakas Surve, Sadanand Saranavnkar, Yogesh Dada Kadam, Pratap Sarnaik, Yamini Jadhav, Pradeep Jaiswal, Sanjay Rathod, Dadaji Bhuse, Dilip Lande, Balaji Kalyanar, Sandipan Bhumare, news agency ANI reported.

Eknath Shinde on Thursday took oath as the new CM of Maharashtra with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy CM. The Uddhav Thackeray-led government in the state fell after Shinde broke away with 39 Sena MLAs, pushing the ruling MVA alliance in minority.

A day after Uddhav Thackeray resigned, Shinde formed the government with the BJP which has 106 MLAs in the House. A party or alliance needs 145 MLAs to prove a majority in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.