The West Bengal government has decided to withdraw the Z-Plus security cover provided to Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, marking one of the most significant security downgrades after the change of power in the state. Sources at Nabanna said the decision followed an administrative review led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who reportedly instructed officials to end “unnecessary” security arrangements for politicians without a genuine threat perception.
For more than a decade, Abhishek Banerjee had moved under an extensive Z-Plus security shield, backed by additional police deployment and special pilot vehicle facilities. However, since the BJP government assumed office in Bengal, the security arrangements around the Trinamool leader have gradually been scaled down.
According to administrative sources, an official order regarding the withdrawal of the additional security cover was issued on Monday evening. Along with the removal of the Z-Plus category protection, the government has also decided to discontinue the pilot car facility that regularly accompanied Banerjee’s convoy.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Z-Plus Security Withdrawn, Pilot Car Facility Also Removed
Sources said the issue came up during a series of meetings chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Monday. The discussions reportedly included a review of security arrangements for political leaders across the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister is believed to have conveyed that no politician should receive excessive security unless there is a clear and credible threat assessment. Officials quoted in administrative circles said Suvendu also questioned the justification for spending public money on security arrangements intended primarily for status projection.
Under the revised arrangement, Abhishek Banerjee will now receive only the standard security protocol applicable to a Member of Parliament, officials indicated. The state government is expected to restructure his protection setup in accordance with guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry.
The scaling down of Banerjee’s security had reportedly begun soon after the election results were announced. Earlier, police deployment outside his office on Camac Street was significantly reduced following the change in government.
Security infrastructure around his residence also saw major changes in recent weeks. Police scanners and special security equipment installed at his Santiniketan residence were removed, and additional police personnel posted there were withdrawn.
The security review did not stop with Abhishek Banerjee. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence at 188A Harish Chatterjee Street also witnessed visible reduction in security deployment after the political transition in Bengal. Within 24 hours of the change in government, police barricades outside the lane leading to her residence were removed, followed by a scaling down of additional security arrangements.
The developments are likely to trigger sharp political reactions, with the Trinamool Congress expected to question the timing and intent behind the government’s decisions.
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