Bhopal, April 17 (Inditop) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s plan to visit Madhya Pradesh’s Maoist-affected Balaghat district has been called off after an intelligence warning that his life could be in danger, party sources said here Friday.
“We had planned to hold Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Balaghat in reply to the one held by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader L.K. Advani but in view of the threat perception and fresh warning by intelligence officials it doesn’t look like the plan will materialise,” a Congress leader said.
Official sources said the home ministry had sent an advisory to the state government, saying that Maoists might target important leaders during the election campaign.
“The warning must be taken more seriously in view of the Maoist violence witnessed during the first phase of polls in different parts of the country,” said an intelligence official.
The home ministry has cautioned everyone protected by the National Security Guard (NSG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) to avoid campaigning in Balaghat district in view of the heightened threat perception, he added.
