UP govt assures of foolproof security to Rahul Gandhi

Lucknow, Mar 17: In the backdrop of alleged snooping on Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, the Uttar Pradesh government today assured that it will ensure "foolproof" security of the Congress general secretary as he is an MP from the state.

Parliamentary affairs minister Azam Khan told the Assembly that since Rahul Gandhi is an MP from UP "it is the responsibility of the state government and it will ensure fool-proof security and special monitoring wherever required."

Congress members raised the snooping issue in the UP Assembly today and demanded proper security for their leader, who is also an MP from Amethi.

The issue came up through an adjournment notice by Anugrah Narain Singh and Akhilesh Pratap Singh in the Zero Hour. Anugrah said the Delhi police had visited Gandhi's residence on March 14 and sought some personal information which, "if divulged, could pose a threat to Congress vice president." Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey rejected the notice on the grounds that it concerned the Centre and could not be raised in the state Assembly.

But Congress leaders insisted that since Gandhi was an MP from UP and frequently visited the state, it had sufficient relevance for the state assembly.

On Singh's remark that central leader spoke of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' but their action proved otherwise, BJP MLA and leader of the legislature party, Suresh Khanna, raised a strong objection. In the din, BJP members stormed into the Well of the House, protesting against Congress MLA's remark. With the tempers running high, the Speaker adjourned the Assembly for 20 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Azam said that there was no doubt that Gandhi family has had to bear the losses due to security issues.

"Though the issue should not have been raised in the Vidhan Sabha, as it does not concern the state, but since Rahul Gandhi is MP from UP it is the responsibility of the state government and we will see into it... We are committed for fool-proof security and also ensure special monitoring wherever required," he added.

PTI