After scaling down the security of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee, the West Bengal government has now decreased security outside the residences of various party leaders. This reduction includes Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Kumar, veteran leader Shovandeb Chattopadhyay, and MLA Kunal Ghosh among others. The security stationed at the residences of 10 Trinamool leaders and former ministers has been cut, with guardrails outside their houses also being removed.
Following the BJP government’s formation in the state, the security cover for Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee was trimmed. Previously, he had an extensive security setup provided by the state government, raising questions about the necessity of such heavy security for an MP who was not a minister. Subsequently, his security was adjusted to that of an MP, as per officials’ statements.
The security measures outside the residences of Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee, Leader of Opposition Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, and MLA Kunal Ghosh have been altered, with guardrails removed. Additionally, the security of senior leaders Chandrima Bhattacharya, Aroop Biswas, and Subrata Bakshi is being reduced, as it is alleged that many leaders had excessive security during the Trinamool era.
Rajeev Kumar and Kalyan Banerjee will now receive security as MPs, while Kunal Ghosh will be provided security as a legislator. Aroop Biswas and Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, no longer ministers, have also seen their security reduced, with Biswas losing the election. Furthermore, the security review has extended to Director of Security Piyush Pandey, with his security also being cut as per government officials.
