New Delhi: Union Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said security of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka has not been withdrawn but changed to 'Z-plus' with ambulance.
Replying to the debate on the SPG (Amendment) Bill, he asserted that the BJP does not carry out any action with a vindictive approach and it was the Congress which took many such decisions in the past. He said that the security cover has in fact been increased for the Gandhi family.
"Impression is being created that the SPG Act is amended to withdraw security from the Gandhi family. This is not the fact. Security of the Gandhi family has not been withdrawn but changed to 'Z-plus' with advance security liaison and ambulance that will be given across the country," he said.
The Bill was passed amid a walkout by the Congress. Several Opposition members also wanted changes in the Bill which were defeated by voice votes.
According to the amendment, the SPG will now protect the Prime Minister and members of his immediate family residing with him at his official residence.
It will also provide security to former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members staying with them at the residence allotted for a period of five years from the date on which they cease to hold the office.
In his reply, Shah also said when the SPG security cover was withdrawn from former Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar, IK Gujral and Manmohan Singh, but no one uttered a word.
The SPG Amendment Bill has been brought days after the government decided to withdraw the SPG security of the Gandhi family and replaced it with the 'Z-plus' security cover by the CRPF.