New Delhi, January 05:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has skipped the rally in Punjab’s Ferozepur over security lapses, a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs said. “Around 30-kms away from National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protestors. The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM,” the statement read.
PM Modi was scheduled to address a rally in Punjab after a gap of two years, and for the first time since the repeal of farm laws. Hours before the rally was scheduled, three approach roads leading to the venue in Ferozepur were blocked by members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangrash Committee (KMSC). However, the protest ended after farmers were assured of a discussion with the PM on January 15 about their demands.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal stated that the party has decided to postpone major rallies in Uttar Pradesh and poll-bound states. He added that a decision will be taken after reviewing the situation in the states. It has postponed its ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ marathon in Uttar Pradesh in light of increasing Covid cases, ANI reported. The UP Congress Committee has also written to Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra to cancel big rallies in light of the anticipated third wave of Covid-19 and urge political parties to carry out smaller rallies with social distancing. It also claimed that PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath were using government resources to inaugurate development projects and hold rallies in the state, and asked EC to stop such campaigning.
The Samajwadi Party suspended its programmes on Wednesday, after its leader Firoz Pappu was allegedly killed by unidentified assailants near his house in Balrampur, UP. According to police, Pappu was returning home after campaigning on Tuesday night when assailants slit his throat. As soon as the news spread, a large number of his supporters and Samajwadi Party leaders, including former minister S P Yadav, reached the hospital. Yadav announced the suspension of all programmes of the Samajwadi Party on Wednesday and demanded immediate arrest of the criminals.
