The Hindu : Front Page : Advani rallies postponed

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Advani rallies postponed

Neena Vyas

Following threat perception

M.K. Narayanan conveys intelligence information
Centre reviewing security for BJP leader

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has cancelled or postponed a number of rallies planned for the next several weeks, following a perception that terrorists could target Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani.

Credible intelligence information was personally conveyed to Mr. Advani by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on Monday evening. The Centre is reviewing security arrangements for him, it is believed.

It seems Mr. Advani took a decision not to go ahead with the major rally planned at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh for February 9, after consulting senior leaders.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar and later party leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters here on Tuesday that the BJP would go ahead with the rally in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh on February 6 and the Mahila Morcha rally in Delhi on February 21.

But the series of other rallies announced during the recent national council meeting has been postponed.

For the Rampur rally, crowds were expected from not only the town but also the surrounding districts of Moradabad and Badaun, considered “sensitive.” It is understood that the kind of security needed would not be possible with large crowds coming for the public meeting. Mr. Javadekar said the rally would be rescheduled.

“All rallies would be rescheduled later keeping in mind the information given by the National Security Adviser and the approaching Parliament session.”

At a meeting of party leaders at his residence on Tuesday evening, Mr. Advani conveyed to them what Mr. Narayanan had told him.

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