Lalu, Mulayam say they will hold Chidambaram responsible if anything happens to them

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have said that Union Home Minister P Chindambaram will be responsible if they are attacked.

New Delhi, July 23 : Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have said that Union Home Minister P Chindambaram "will be responsible" if they are attacked.

Reacting sharply to reports that the government is planning to curtail security cover for VVIPs, including, former ministers.

Former defence minister Mulayam told Chidambara Singh told Chidambaram, "There is a threat to my life. There is a threat to Lalu Prasad's life and you will be responsible if any attack takes place."

Former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said: "If something happens, then he (Chidambaram) will be responsible."

Currently, the Home Ministry is reviewing the security cover given to VVIPs, and has suggested that the security status of senior politicians, like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, former Bihar chief minister and Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, should be downgraded.

Elite National Security Guard personnel are presently guarding these politicians.

After conducting three review meetings to examine the security cover being given to 395 VIPs in the capital, the Home Ministry is yet to decide whether or not to remove the security cover offered to some of them.

Samajwadi Party's Shailender Kumar raised the issue during Zero Hour of the Lok Sabha.

Mulayam Singh then got up to protest against the proposed move.

"Security was provided for me after Ayodhya (1992 Babri Masjid demolition). I never asked for security myself. I have been attacked in Mumbai and Hyderabad even," he said.

Despite the demands of SP and RJD members, Chidambaram did not react.

Speaker Meira Kumar said the issue was raised during Zero Hour and therefore, the minister could not be compelled to reply.

ANI