The controversy over the Personal Security Officer (PSO) row is yet to end as on Friday, legislator and working president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha claimed that he had never seen such a “cheap” topic being brought in by a Chief Minister.
Speaking to the Media, Purkayastha said, “The topic is a cheap topic and I don’t think it deserves any importance.”
He added, “I have seen a number of honorable Chief Ministers but the current CM is just making cheap statements and discussions.”
Purkayastha said that the CM himself had Z category security even before becoming the Chief Minister and he now wants others to give up PSOs?
Also Read: Assam Congress suspends Raha MLA Sashi Kanta Das for anti-party activities
He claimed that even now there are several security persons moving around him round the clock.
“I have seen such a cheap issue. I think these things need to be stopped”, he added.
On the other side, Krishnendu Paul, BJP MLA from Patharkandi backing the CM said PSOs were a part of the protocol and are allocated only when there’s a threat to a particular person.
He added that it was not right to move around with PSOs if there are no reasons for them to be around and said that if asked, he will even give his PSO cover.
Earlier Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma requested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to give up their Personal Security Officers (PSOs) terming it to be a Congress culture.
Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin after this request by the CM announced that he will give up his PSOs.
Also Read: Assam: Drug peddlers shot by police in Banderdewa
Momin speaking to media persons in Guwahati said he will soon leave his PSO as there are no security threats to him in the state.
Momin claimed that the decision to give his PSO cover was a personal choice and others who want the cover may continue with it.
Even Sivasagar BJP unit’s president Mayur Borgohain and Karimganj BJP President Subrata Bhattacharjee had given up their PSOs.
Barpeta’s MP Abdul Khaleque said that the Chief Minister himself should leave his PSO before asking others.
Khaleque reacting to the statements made by the Chief Minister said, “The CM urging people to give up their security cover is fine but before asking others, he should give his PSOs up.”