Yogi Adityanath cuts security cover for Mulayam, Akhilesh, Mayawati

Lucknow : In an unexpected move, UP government on Saturday late night took away or downgraded security cover for many VIPs including biggies like Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Ram Gopal Yadav and Azam Khan.

However, some BJP leaders got an upgrade with their security cover; senior leader Vijay Katiyar will now get a Z category security.

The decision was taken late on Saturday following a meeting of security committee comprising principal secretary (home), ADG Intelligence and ADG (security) with newly-appointed DGP Sulkhan Singh. The order came into effect from Saturday night.

Out of 151 VIPs, security cover has been completely withdrawn from 105 and downgrades for rest 46.

In a recent official meeting UP chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath had hinted that those "enjoying security cover for the sake of status symbol should be prepared to part with them and the security personnel should be deployed to take care of the common man."