Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was scheduled to attend three different programmes in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad on invitation of Shankarsinh Vaghela. (File photo)
The Congress today blamed the ruling BJP after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Gujarat was cancelled as the SPG and police gave a "negative" opinion about the security aspects.
Congress leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela alleged that it was done at the behest of the BJP.
Dr Singh was scheduled to attend three different programmes in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad on invitation of Mr Vaghela, who runs several educational institutes.
Alleging that the SPG and the Gujarat Police "deliberately gave negative opinion about the security aspects", Mr Vaghela, also the Leader of the Opposition in Assembly, today said the BJP cannot tolerate that a learned man like Dr Singh will hog the limelight when BJP president Amit Shah is also in Gandhinagar for a programme.
"I am informed today evening that our former PM is not coming tomorrow as SPG and state police cited security reasons. This has been done at the behest of BJP as their president is also coming tomorrow for a programme. This is done as part of a conspiracy and SPG became a tool in the hands of BJP," Mr Vaghela told reporters at a press conference.
"Tomorrow is the anniversary of Godhra train carnage and Amit Shah is coming here to remind people about what had happened in 2002. It's obvious that BJP cannot tolerate that the learned man like Dr Singh will take all limelight when BJP president is here," he alleged.
Among other events, Dr Singh was scheduled to deliver a lecture at one of Mr Vaghela's institutes near Gandhinagar. Mr Vaghela said Dr Singh had agreed for the programmes.
He alleged that SPG's attitude was "suspicious" ever since the visit was planned a few months ago.
"They first wanted us to cancel an exam in our college. When we agreed, they told us that it may not look good if we cancel exam. It shows that SPG was trying hard to harass us. Though we agreed to each and every condition of SPG, the agency gave a negative report. SPG never worked this way when UPA was in power," added Mr Vaghela.