Major lapse in security of PM Modi a 'failure' of Centre: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge
Bengaluru, Jan 6: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday alleged that the 'major security lapse' due to road blockade by some protesters which forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to return without attending a public meeting at Ferozepur in Punjab, was "failure" of the Centre.
Modi was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes on Wednesday due to the blockade, an incident the Union home ministry described as a "major lapse" in his security.
However, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi expressed regret after Modi had to cut short his visit to the state, but asserted that there was no security lapse.
Speaking to reporters here, Kharge said: "It is the failure of the Centre which is armed with Special Protection Group, Intelligence Bureau and other central agencies".
He said, "How can you (Modi) say (that it's a security lapse) when you are protected by police, SPG, IB, para-military forces and many other central agencies? By giving such statement you are insulting the people of Punjab."
He also rejected "security threat to the Prime Minister because he is protected much more" compared to the security cover given to the then Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
"The PM has the security 10 times more than Nehru, Indira and Rajiv. He (Modi) has the best foreign made bulletproof car. Yet, they (BJP) are blaming the Punjab government," Kharge said.
Accusing the BJP of trying to charge people emotionally, Kharge said the J P Nadda-led party wants to unseat Channi, who is a Dalit CM.
Kharge also alleged that the PM's office changed the minute-to-minute programme in 20 minutes and opted reaching Firozepur by road instead of helicopter.
Defending the Punjab government, the veteran Congress leader said Channi has ordered a probe by a retired High Court judge and a retired chief secretary and promised to initiate action based on the outcome of the report.
"There was no malafide intention behind the development as has been projected by the BJP leaders and their spokespersons. Modi is our Prime Minister and we respect him. We may talk politically but we are committed to respect and protecting him," Kharge said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
