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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Centre sanctions additional 4.68 lakh houses for poor people in Karnataka: Union Minister Chauhan
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday said the Centre has sanctioned an additional 4.68 lakh houses for the people from the economically weaker sections in Karnataka.
This is apart from the 2.57 lakh houses sanctioned by the Centre originally, Chauhan, who holds rural development, agriculture and farmers' Welfare portfolio, told reporters here.
The Minister said he had a meeting with Karnataka rural development, revenue and agriculture ministers this morning.
After Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the third term, he sanctioned 2.57 lakh houses in September as part of his commitment to provide a 'Pucca' house for every poor family of the state and released grants for it, he said.
"Now we have decided to increase the target and, in all, we have sanctioned 4.68 lakh additional houses. For BJP, serving poor is the worship of God," the Minister said.
Chauhan appealed to the Karnataka government to complete the housing project at the earliest. Under the Border Area Development Scheme Rs 97 crore will be released for Karnataka, the Minister said adding that the Centre also agreed to release additional grants for the mechanization scheme in the agriculture department.
The Centre has also sanctioned additional staff under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme.
Chauhan said, "I appeal to the state government to utilise these funds on time and send us the Utilisation Certificate."
When asked about Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegation about unjust and unequal distribution of funds by the Centre, he said, "I have brought funds to Karnataka. There are two types of politics. One is the politics of blame game and second is politics of development and public welfare. The BJP believes in the second one."
