Narendra Modi's rally in Uttar Pradesh is under a cloud over security concerns after the Patna blasts
Bahraich:
Narendra Modi's rally in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow has come under a cloud with the state's Akhilesh Yadav government giving it 'conditional' clearance, but warning of serious gaps in security as the organisers, the BJP, have not held 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 the BJP must ensure that security at the rally venue is up to the standards prescribed by the Gujarat Chief Minister's own team.
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.
"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 is not ready. A seven-foot barricade around the stage to restrict access has not come up yet. The general arrangement is also very poor," said Kinjal Singh, District Magistrate of Bahraich.
Sources say the state government does not want to be seen to block the rally of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, but has made it clear it is the party's responsibility to ensure that major security needs such as the helipad near the venue and the barricade around the stage are in place.
Labourers with special security passes are now rushing to complete the barricaded stage.
Mr Modi's security team from Gujarat assessed the venue, Suheldeva rally ground, this morning. UP officials say the team found the arrangements wanting.
The BJP has targeted Bihar's Nitish Kumar government and the Centre for not ensuring enough protection for Mr Modi. The party says he should be guarded by the elite Special Protection Group which handles the security of the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children.
"He is a prime terrorist target and the government knows this - still they are not doing anything," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday. But the government said Mr Modi's security was adequate.
Mr Modi is guarded by the Gujarat police and the National Security Guard, whose commandos are offered to chief ministers seen as high-risk targets like J Jayalalithaa.
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 the BJP must ensure that security at the rally venue is up to the standards prescribed by the Gujarat Chief Minister's own team.
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.
"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 is not ready. A seven-foot barricade around the stage to restrict access has not come up yet. The general arrangement is also very poor," said Kinjal Singh, District Magistrate of Bahraich.
Sources say the state government does not want to be seen to block the rally of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, but has made it clear it is the party's responsibility to ensure that major security needs such as the helipad near the venue and the barricade around the stage are in place.
Labourers with special security passes are now rushing to complete the barricaded stage.
Mr Modi's security team from Gujarat assessed the venue, Suheldeva rally ground, this morning. UP officials say the team found the arrangements wanting.
The BJP has targeted Bihar's Nitish Kumar government and the Centre for not ensuring enough protection for Mr Modi. The party says he should be guarded by the elite Special Protection Group which handles the security of the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children.
"He is a prime terrorist target and the government knows this - still they are not doing anything," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday. But the government said Mr Modi's security was adequate.
Mr Modi is guarded by the Gujarat police and the National Security Guard, whose commandos are offered to chief ministers seen as high-risk targets like J Jayalalithaa.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
