Congress' Puducherry unit reported that it had received death threats against Rahul Gandhi.
New Delhi:
In late night tweets, Rahul Gandhi announced that he will today not visit Puducherry, where security was tightened after his party said they had received death threats for the Congress vice president.
Mr Gandhi apologised for cancelling, saying he had been running high fever since Sunday and has been advised rest by doctors for the next two days. He was scheduled to tour Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where elections will be held on May 16.
The Congress leader said the visits would be rescheduled; campaigning ends in these states on May 14.
The Puducherry police too had made special preparations for Mr Gandhi's speech.
Last week, senior Congress leader V Narayanswamy received a letter at his residence which warned, "We will attack you and your former Prime Minister's son and (he will) be blasted responsible for closure of industries, while attending a meeting."
The Home Minister has decided that Mr Gandhi will get more commandos from the SPG or the Special Protection Group, which handles the security of top leaders including the Prime Minister. When he visits states, the local police force will also have to provide more guards.
Mr Gandhi's father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a suicide bomber at an election meeting in Tamil Nadu in 1991.
The Congress delegation which met the Home Minister today included former union minister Anand Sharma and raised concerns also over the proposed "en mass shifting" of around 400 officers of the SPG or Special Protection Group. "SPG requires rigorous training.
It's a matter of concern as to why such a proposal has come up to change such a large number of the personnel," said Mr Sharma.
Mr Gandhi apologised for cancelling, saying he had been running high fever since Sunday and has been advised rest by doctors for the next two days. He was scheduled to tour Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where elections will be held on May 16.
The Congress leader said the visits would be rescheduled; campaigning ends in these states on May 14.
Shall keep everyone updated about the rescheduled visits(3/3)
- Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 9, 2016
My apologies to the ppl of Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & Kerala for missing this opportunity of being with them on 10th &11th May as planned(2/3)
- Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 9, 2016
On Monday, the government cleared additional security for Mr Gandhi after his party met Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the assassination threats. Mr Singh issued "extra caution" for both the Intelligence Bureau and the elite force that guards politicians considered to be at high risk.Unfortunately I have been down with high fever since Sunday and the Doctor has advised rest for the next two days(1/3)
- Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 9, 2016
The Puducherry police too had made special preparations for Mr Gandhi's speech.
Last week, senior Congress leader V Narayanswamy received a letter at his residence which warned, "We will attack you and your former Prime Minister's son and (he will) be blasted responsible for closure of industries, while attending a meeting."
The Home Minister has decided that Mr Gandhi will get more commandos from the SPG or the Special Protection Group, which handles the security of top leaders including the Prime Minister. When he visits states, the local police force will also have to provide more guards.
Mr Gandhi's father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a suicide bomber at an election meeting in Tamil Nadu in 1991.
The Congress delegation which met the Home Minister today included former union minister Anand Sharma and raised concerns also over the proposed "en mass shifting" of around 400 officers of the SPG or Special Protection Group. "SPG requires rigorous training.
It's a matter of concern as to why such a proposal has come up to change such a large number of the personnel," said Mr Sharma.
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