Maya asks Centre to modify law to give her SPG cover

NOIDA, Jan 8 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today said the Centre will have to provide her SPG cover in view of the threat to her life, and if any rule or regulation was coming in the way it should be modified.

Ms Mayawati had yesterday accused the Congress here of conspiring to kill her and blasted the Centre for not responding to her government's repeated demand for giving SPG cover to her.

Later, the Home Ministry said there was no law existing under which Chief Ministers could be given SPG cover.

''The police of my state is capable of protecting my life, but I have to travel to other places in the country too as president of my party, and I go to places where there are rival parties in power. Who then is to be responsible for my security?'' she said talking to reporters here.

Without naming Ms Sonia Gandhi, she said that SPG security was being enjoyed by the families members of some such former Prime Ministers as have no popular base and do not have to go among the people.

''In view of the social and political situation, and the increasing terrorist activities, the Centre will have to give SPG cover to me,'' she said.

Reacting to comments by the Congress leaders over her demand for security, she said the comments of the ruling party leaders were indicative of their anti-Dalit mentality.

UNI NAZ SBC AS2046