Lok Sabha disrupted over Maya's security

The Lok Sabha began proceedings on a chaotic note on Thursday with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MPs noisily protesting against the government's reported move to downgrade security for their leader, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, forcing adjournment of the house.

The Lok Sabha began proceedings on a chaotic note on Thursday with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MPs noisily protesting against the government's reported move to downgrade security for their leader, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, forcing adjournment of the house.

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Irate BSP members took up the issue as soon as the house met at 11 a.m. and rushed towards Speaker Meira Kumar's podium shouting slogans against the government after reports that the Z plus security cover being given to Mayawati might be downgraded.

The speaker requested them to raise the matter during zero hour but to no avail, forcing her to adjourn the house for half-an-hour.

The home ministry is currently reviewing the security provided to VVIPs and has suggested that the security status of senior politicians like Mayawati, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi be downgraded.

Personnel of the elite National Security Guard are presently guarding these politicians.

Home ministry officials have had three meetings so far to examine the security cover being given to 395 VIPs in the capital. Security cover may be either whittled down or removed for some of them. The final decision has to be taken by the home minister.

The matter also figured Wednesday in the Lok Sabha when Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav voiced their protest against the government's move.