In his trademark sarcastic tone, senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has declined the ‘Y’-category security offered by the Uttar Pradesh government, saying he will not accept it without an official written order.

Speaking to reporters in Rampur, the veteran politician questioned the state’s intentions behind the move, remarking, “I am a chicken-thief, a goat-thief, and I have a 21-year sentence — so how am I getting security? I don’t trust the people in uniform.”

Khan said he was puzzled by the government’s decision to offer him protection while denying higher-category security to others in similar or lesser positions. “When some first-time MLAs enjoy Z-category security with Central Force commandos, why am I given only Y-category? What’s the criteria here?” he asked.

The former minister also took a dig at the state’s security mechanism, insisting that without written documentation, the offer lacked credibility. “If there’s no official order, then what assurance do I have? Tomorrow, if something happens, people will just say in the Assembly — he was a good man,” Khan said with a wry smile.

Highlighting his financial difficulties, Khan claimed he could not even provide a vehicle for the security personnel. “I don’t have a car for them to sit in. Maybe the government should send one along with their offer,” he quipped, drawing laughter from supporters present at his residence.