BIG BREAKING, Centre decides on Z-plus security cover for Sharad Pawar, know more
On Wednesday, the Indian government granted Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the highest level of Z-plus security cover. This decision, made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), deploys a team of 55 armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to ensure Pawar’s safety.
The MHA's decision follows a threat assessment review by central agencies, which recommended robust security measures for the 83-year-old Pawar, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The CRPF's VIP security wing has already arrived in Maharashtra to implement the Z-plus security protocol. This tier of security is the highest available and is followed by Z, Y+, Y, and X categories.
Sharad Pawar, founder and president of the NCP, began his political career with the Indian National Congress. He was first elected to Maharashtra’s Legislative Assembly in 1967 and served in various ministerial roles until 1978. Pawar first became Maharashtra's Chief Minister in 1978 and held the office three times throughout his career (1978-80, 1983-91, 1993-95). He has also been elected to the Lok Sabha six times and held significant ministerial positions, including as Defense Minister (1991-93) under the PV Narasimha Rao government.
In 1999, Pawar left the Indian National Congress after opposing the party's choice of Sonia Gandhi as their Prime Ministerial candidate, leading to the formation of the NCP.