Govt will ensure no threat to Rahul Gandhi's life: PM

On Board Special Aircraft: A day after Rahul Gandhi said he is prepared that he may be assassinated, the Prime Minister today said that his government will ensure that "there is no threat" to the Congress vice-president's life.

Mr Gandhi, speaking at a rally in Rajasthan on Wednesday, said that communalism and the "politics of hatred", which he attributed to the opposition BJP, have cost his family heavily.  "Hatred killed my grandmother, my father, maybe it'll kill me. I don't care," he said.

The Prime Minister said today, "Well, I and all sane persons should be worried about the politics of hate which is now sweeping the country.... as regards the threat to the life of Rahul Gandhi, the government will take all possible precautions that this threat does not materialise," he said answering questions on his journey back from his tour of Russia and China. (Read full transcript of PM's briefing on board Air India One)

Mr Gandhi's grandmother, Indira, was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards while she was Prime Minister in 1984.

His father, Rajiv, was killed in a suicide bombing in Tamil Nadu while he was prime minister in 1991 by members of the rebel Lankan Tigers.

Mr Gandhi ,who is 43, is leading his party's campaign for the approaching state and national elections, and is campaigning extensively.  He has not yet indicated whether he will accept the Congress's demand to be its prime ministerial candidate.

Dr Manmohan Singh has not ruled out a third term should his party be re-elected, but he has also said that he would be happy to serve under Mr Gandhi if the Congress forms the government.