The Uttar Pradesh Government wants Special Protection Group (SPG) cover for Chief Minister Mayawati. The Government has approached the Centre with a request for security by the elite force, saying she faces “tremendous threat” from terror groups.

SPG security is entitled only to prime ministers and former prime ministers and their families. Mayawati is currently provided central security by National Security Guard commandos.

Last week, UP Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh wrote to Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta asking for round-the-clock SPG security immediately for Mayawati.

Sources said the letter also referred to Mayawati’s frequent travels across the country in her capacity as president of the Bahujan Samaj Party. SPG security cover would be more effective in such situations, it said.

The state Government also wants to increase the number of bulletproof vehicles in her cavalcade whenever she is travelling. The Centre has already permitted Mayawati to drive right up to her aircraft at Delhi airport, but she is keen to have the same facility at all airports across the country.

Home Ministry sources said they were trying to verify if she faces threat from terror groups. While the SPG cover could take time even if the Centre agrees — a law needs to be amended for this — the Government can decide on increasing the number of NSG commandos guarding her in the interim. Her request to drive till the aircraft at all airports could also be looked into, sources said.

The issue of Mayawati’s security had also come up during the all-party meeting after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination last week, official sources said.