Published 21:21 IST, November 8th 2019
Rahul Gandhi thanks SPG for service after withdrawal of security cover
Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude for the elite SPG for protecting him and his family after the Union Home Ministry downgraded the security cover to Z+ level
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After the Union Home Ministry downgraded the security cover of the Gandhi family from SPG to Z+ level, Rahul Gandhi on Friday evening expressed his gratitude to the elite unit for protecting him and his family. On Twitter, he thanked the members of the Special Protection Group for their dedication and for a journey filled with "affection and learning". The former Congress president along with the current Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka will now be guarded by commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and National Security Guards (NSG).
A big thank you to all my brothers & sisters in the SPG who worked tirelessly to protect me & my family over the years. Thank you for your dedication, your constant support & for a journey filled with affection & learning. It has been a privilege. All the best for a great future.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 8, 2019
Congress alleges 'vindictive politics'
Top Congress party leaders have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of engaging in "vendetta politics". Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the move shows the BJP's "mental bankruptcy". Indian Youth Congress members protested outside Home Minister Amit Shah's residence. Earlier in the day, the official Twitter handle of the Indian Youth Congress had informed about carrying out protests outside the official residence of the Home Minister.
In spite of serious & repeated threats against CP Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Shri @RahulGandhi & Smt. @priyankagandhi, PM Modi & HM Amit Shah have deemed it fit to revoke their SPG security.
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 8, 2019
This is entirely due to BJP's personal hatred & vendetta politics. #BJPVindictivePolitics pic.twitter.com/4fFEwzGWc5
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, "Two former Prime Ministers of the country – Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were murdered. It was former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who amended the law to give the family of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi SPG cover. In what circumstances the Home Ministry decided to do this. Usually, the SPG security is under the Cabinet Secretary and not with the Home Ministry but here the Home Ministry has issued the withdrawal notice. On what basis they have withdrawn the SPG cover. They are playing with the life of Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka."
19:55 IST, November 8th 2019