Low-cost at what cost?

The publicity being given to MPs travelling by economy class may be putting the common man's life in danger, say security men

The publicity being given to MPs travelling by economy class may be putting the common man's life in danger, say security men

The Congress's new austerity drive comes at a steep cost. Every time a Sonia Gandhi or a Rahul Gandhi travels like the common man, they put our life and limb at risk.

Former joint director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), M K Dhar, said, "It is not just Congress leaders like Sonia and Rahul who have travelled like the masses to gather support. Other party leaders have also done it.
u00a0
The problem arises when the party advertises these stunts. The publicity creates major security threats."

Colonel Mahendra Pratap Choudhary, an ex-commander of the Special Protection Group (SPG), explained, "When the Gandhis, who have a mass fan following, travel economy or take the train, people flock to greet them and there is bound to be commotion. Terrorists can easily use the situation to their advantage.
u00a0

In Grave Danger: When celebrities such as the Gandhis travel like the common man, it raises security concerns. On Tuesday, the Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi Express in which Rahul Gandhi was travelling was stoned

Unless the travel plans are a closely guarded secret, which is very difficult, such trips are a huge threat."

A senior security officer, on condition of anonymity, said, "Economy travel automatically gets publicity and their itinerary is flashed on TV. This makes it easy for terrorists to plan an attack.
u00a0
For instance, in trains, a large group of people can deliberately book tickets in a particular compartment or chains can be pulled at pre-determined places. In a crowded set up, damage control is difficult."

Threat to nation

Citing past instances, wherein the country has lost leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to terror attacks, he said politicians were also jeopardising the nation in the process.
u00a0
"The Gandhis are national assets and a security threat to them translates into a security threat to the country," said Choudhary.

Security stressed

Experts say that the austerity drive is also burdening the already hassled IB and VVIP security agencies NSG and SPG, and the cops who guard VIP politicians.

"VIP movement is a huge problem. Normally we clear roads and traffic for VIPs, but when they travel on trains it becomes difficult. We can't empty a station or a flight of people," said a senior police official.

Added Dhar, "This move has put tremendous pressure on the IB, as it has widened the opportunities for terrorist attacks on them."

This is further complicated by the crowds that flock to see the VIP. "We are always told that security is important, but for the politicians the vote bank is just as important.

A politician would never want the common man to complain that they were roughed up or had to face trouble because of them. So, we have to ensure that we do not damage the leader's image," said another senior official.

But even the experts agree that the austerity drive is a move they would like to see succeed.

Former BSF director general Prakash Singh said, "Being a retired cop, I know that any political leader carries a security threat with him, with or without security.

But as a common man, I can't help believe that every political leader should travel by the most economical mode of transport."

It's a paradox that the entire country is contemplating at the moment.

The Other Side

Abhishekh Manu Singhvi, the Congress spokesperson said, "There is no necessary contradiction between security measures and reasonable austerity measures.

Wherever there is unavoidable clash between the two, security issues will necessarily prevail."

The road less travelled

Sept 12: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee flew to Kolkata by economy class of a budget airline, Sushilkumar Shinde u00a0flew economy on Air India to Delhi
Sept 13: NCP chief Sharad Pawar travels economy class from Mumbai to Delhi
Sept 14: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi travels economy class from Delhi to Mumbai and Mumbai to Bangalore
Sept 15: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by a team of SPG commandos, travels to Ludhiana in the chaircar of Shatabdi Express

> Around 47,000 policemen provide round the clock security to 13,000 VIP politicians. This costs the country an average of Rs 6 billion every year.

> The 430 VVIP politicians are provided either the National Security Guard (NSG) or the Special Protection Group's (SPG) protection. An additional Rs 250 crore is spent on them annually.

> The NSG unit guards Z and Z+ category leaders, who have a high security threat.

Notable among them are L K Advani, Narendra Modi, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Jayalalithaa and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

NSG has deployed 638 personnel for this. NSG protection is provided in consultation with central security agencies to VIPS who face serious threats from various fronts, including terrorists and extremist groups.

> SPG guards the PM and his family, Sonia and her family