The PM’s rally had to be canceled today, January 5, 2022.\u00a0 The BJP has accused Congress of endangering the Prime Minister’s life by causing a security breach at Hussainiwala in Punjab when some protesters blocked a flyover on which the Prime Minister was proceeding to the venue by road.<\/p>\n
Calling it “a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister”, the Union Home Ministry said in a statement that the incident took place around 30 km from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. “When the PM\u2019s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors,” it said. “The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse.” The statement said Modi landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibility, the Prime Minister waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out. When the weather didn\u2019t improve, it was decided that he would visit the Memorial via road, which would have taken more than two hours.<\/p>\n
The Ministry said: “He (Modi) proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police. “The PM\u2019s schedule and travel plan were communicated well in advance to the Punjab Government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready.<\/p>\n
“Also, in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which were clearly not deployed. “After this security lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport. “The Ministry of Home Affairs taking cognizance of this serious security lapse has sought a detailed report from the state government. The state government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action,” it said.<\/p>\n
Nadda accused the Congress government in Punjab of not providing security and safe passage to the PM’s cavalcade for the rally in Ferozepur district leading to its cancellation. He accused the state government of having \u201cgiven access to the protestors\u201d on the PM\u2019s route.<\/p>\n
Punjab govt retorts back saying PM Modi\u2019s rally flopped<\/a> and there was no turnout, denies any security lapse and Congress hits back at BJP, asks it to stop ‘blame game’ for dropping “baseless allegations” over the security lapse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab and claimed that it was due to “empty chairs” at the rally venue and the farmers’ anger over unfulfilled promises that led to the cancellation of the Ferozepur rally.<\/p>\n In a series of tweets, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “People of Punjab have shown the mirror to the ‘arrogant’ government in power by distancing themselves from the PM’s rally. The cancellation was due to ’empty chairs’. Please accept your anti-farmer mindset and do some introspection.”<\/p>\n Countering BJP chief Nadda’s allegations that the incident was a \u201cbig security lapse\u201d and that farmers were given information of the PM’s car route, Surjewala said, “Dear Nadda ji, stop losing cool and all sense of propriety. Please remember that 10,000 security personnel were deployed for the PM’s rally. All arrangements were made in tandem with SPG and other agencies. The route was carved even for all buses of BJP workers from Haryana\/Rajasthan.<\/p>\n Surjewala continued, “Do you know why KMSC (Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee) and farmers are protesting against PM Modi? Their demands are- Sacking of MOS Home Ajay Misra Teni<\/a>, withdrawal of criminal cases against farmers in Haryana, Delhi, and UP, compensation for the kin of 700 farmers who died (during the agitation). Committee on MSP (Minimum Support Price) and a quick decision. Post Farmer\u2019s agitation, the Modi government chose to totally ignore these promises. Stop the blame game. Hold rallies but listen to Farmers first!,” Surjewala said.<\/p>\n