Poor security at Narendra Modi's rally venue: Uttar Pradesh government

Bahraich: Narendra Modi's rally in Uttar Pradesh on Friday has come under a cloud with the state's Akhilesh Yadav government warning of serious gaps in security and blaming the organisers, the BJP, for not holding up their end of the bargain.

Not taking any chances after the multiple blasts targeting Mr Modi's Patna rally on October 27, which led to a political blame-game over lapses in security, Uttar Pradesh has said it is the BJP's responsibility to ensure that security at the rally venue is up to the mark.

Mr Modi is to address a rally in Bahraich near the porous border with Nepal, a town that was recently in the news for the arrest of a suspected operative of the Indian Mujahideen, the terror group that allegedly masterminded the Patna blasts.

The UP administration says it expects the BJP to finish putting up a seven-foot barricade to keep the crowds away from the stage, and a helipad next to the venue, well in advance for security checks.

"We can't deny permission for a private event but there are serious lapses in arrangement. The Gujarat police had written to UP that the helipad should be ready 48 hours before Mr Modi arrives, but it's not ready," said Kinjal Singh, District Magistrate of Bahraich.

Sources say the state government does not want to be seen as blocking the rally of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, now given tighter security cover, even though it is a logistical nightmare.

Almost 300 police officers and more than 1,000 jawans are posted at the rally ground and more than 80 anti-terror commandos are on standby for tomorrow. Metal detectors and jammers will also be in place.

The BJP, which had targeted Bihar's Nitish Kumar government for security lapses in Patna, said the rally would not be cancelled.

"Our arrangements are good," said state BJP president Lakshmikant Bajpai. Mr Modi has been addressing a series of rallies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the national election due by May. With tomorrow's rally, the BJP hopes to reach out to 17 of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats, which are crucial in deciding the next government.