Bengaluru, Oct 26 (IANS): Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader B. S. Yediyurappa has been provided with Z category security amid "threat" to his life by the radical groups in the state.

A total of 33 Z category security staff would be deputed to provide security to Yediyurappa, sources said.

"Ten armed guards will be deputed at his residence and 12 armed patrol commandos will be deputed in three shifts. Two persons would monitor the security round the clock," the sources said.

Yediyurappa is launching a statewide tour in Karnataka and the security is provided in response to threat assessment by Intelligence Bureau (IB). The security cover will be confined to Karnataka only.

Earlier, the state government had deputed personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) security to Yediyurappa.

Under the leadership of Yediyurappa, the BJP had come to power for first time in south India. Though, he had announced retirement from the electoral politics, he still remains most popular mass leader in the state BJP.