Congress alleges assassination attempt at Rahul Gandhi, MHA quashes assumptions

Congress has alleged that a major security lapse had led to a threat on its president Rahul Gandhi’s life while he was filing his nomination papers in Amethi, April 10. The party has sent a letter marked ‘Confidential’ to this effect to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

In the communiqué, jointly undersigned by Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala, the party claimed that a green colour laser was pointed at Gandhi’s head erratically on at least seven separate occasions.

“A perusal of the video by various persons including former security personnel leads to a prima facie conclusion that this laser could emanate from a potential weapon such as a sniper gun,” the leaders said in the letter. “Even a possibility like this is a cause of serious alarm and concern pointing towards a breach in the security of Gandhi.”

The Congress provided a clipping of the video in which he is seen interacting with the media. The Congress chief protected round the clock by SPG.

Stating that two members of the Gandhi family— Indira and Rajiv Gandhi – were assassinated, the Congress leaders urged the Home Minister to take note of the ‘grave and unacceptable’ security threat and initiate immediate action into the matter.

The MHA however said that it has not received any such letter from Congress, till the filing of the report. “As soon as MHA’s attention was drawn to reports that there was an incident of ‘green light’ being pointed at Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, the Director (SPG) was asked to verify the factual position,” a statement issued by the MHA said.

The MHA further stated the ‘green light’” shown in the clipping was of a mobile phone used by AICC photographer. “Director (SPG) has informed MHA that they have gone through the video clipping very closely. The ‘green light’ shown in the clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by AICC photographer, who was documenting the press interaction,” the MHA said.

PNN/Agencies