SPG cover of Manmohan Singh shouldn't be withdrawn selectively: Cong

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Press Trust of India New Delhi/Kolkata
Last Updated : Aug 26 2019 | 9:40 PM IST

The Congress on Monday said the SPG security cover of former prime minister Manmohan Singh should not be withdrawn selectively and took a swipe at the prime minister and the home minister, stressing "karma is watching" them.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said such decisions should be taken as per norms.

"The MHA has reviewed and withdrawn the security cover. They have also given a reason for doing this. But my point is that security cover should not be withdrawn selectively, just because Singh was a prime minister of the Congress government," Chowdhury told PTI over phone.

His colleague and party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should remember that they will also cease to hold their posts one day.

"Present PM's and HM's who order withdrawal of security and benefits for former PM's must remember that they too will be former one day. Karma is always watching," he tweeted.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) cover given to Singh was withdrawn following a review by multiple security agencies, officials have said.

The former prime minister will now get Z-plus security cover to be given by one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), preferably by the CRPF.

Another party spokesperson Sanjay Jha said, "Withdrawing SPG cover of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh who has just entered Rajya Sabha again and is active politically is a new moral low by this government. Or is this a public admission that we are so badly broke?"

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First Published: Aug 26 2019 | 9:40 PM IST