The Centre on Sunday provided ‘Y-plus’ security cover of the Central Reserve Police Force to 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs who jumped ship to the camp of Eknath Shinde.

The decision came at a time the BJP has been publicly distancing itself from the political crisis in Maharashtra.

The legislators who have been provided security include Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane and Prakas Surve.

Sources in the Union home ministry said the families of the 15 legislators living in Maharashtra would also be given security.

“The 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs have been granted security cover after a recommendation by the central security agencies to the home ministry, saying they and their families faced potential threats to their physical security owing to the current political scenario in Maharashtra,” said a ministry official.

On Saturday, Shinde, in a letter to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, had alleged that the security cover provided to the family members of the rebel MLAs had been withdrawn. The state government, however, had rejected the charges.

The Y-plus security cover includes five to seven armed personnel guarding each protectee in three shifts. The number of personnel can be increased depending on the threat perception, said an official.