Congress tried to harm the Prime Minister of India: Smriti Irani

Irani asked why those who lead the security on behalf of the state government did not respond to any call or efforts to secure the Prime Minister

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Smriti Irani on Wednesday said that the Congress tried to 'harm' the Prime Minister of India.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach during his Punjab visit, Irani asked why the Director General of Police (DGP) give the all-clear to the Prime Minister's security detail about the route that he was to take if he was 'incapable of providing security support'.

"We know the Congress hates PM Modi, but today, they tried to harm the Prime Minister of India. Such is the breakdown of law and order in Punjab that the DGP claims he's incapable of providing security support to the Prime Minister's Office and security detail," Irani said.

Read | Punjab CM expresses regret after PM Modi cuts short visit, denies security lapse

"Never before in the history of our country were police functionaries in a state directed and convenienced to breach the security of a Prime Minister and bring him harm," she said.

Hitting out at the Punjab government, Irani said, "Such is the state of administration in Punjab that a security detail and run that is a protocol administratively to be followed by a state head was dismantled so that Prime Minister Modi could be harmed. The questions we, as BJP karyakartas (workers) and the nation, need to ask the Congress government in Punjab is why did the DGP give an all-clear to the PM's security detail for the route that the Prime Minister was to take? Who in the Punjab government gave information about the Prime Minister's route to individuals who planted themselves atop the flyover? Video evidence, now publicly available, brings such questions to the fore," she said.

She asked why those who lead the security on behalf of the state government did not respond to any call or efforts to secure the Prime Minister.

Without naming anyone, she said, "When the PM had his security breached, Congress leaders erupted with joy, asking him how his 'Josh' was! PM Modi, magnanimous as ever, on his way back, gave a befitting reply 'Zinda laut raha hoon!' (Returning alive)."

She said that the Congress must realise Narendra Modi became Prime Minister with the blessings of the people of India.

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