The Police Department is yet to receive a letter from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about the venue for a public meeting to be addressed by prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi here on November 17.
Bangalore City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar told Express on Sunday: “We have not received any letter from the BJP about Modi’s rally in the city. I have read in newspapers that the rally may be held at Jakkur grounds, but there is no official communication from the party office-bearers. As far as security is concerned, we have got a standard operative procedure to be followed during the public rallies of VVIPs.”
The Police Commissioner said he held a meeting on Sunday and has decided to talk to the BJP office-bearers to know about the venue. The security would depend upon the venue, he added.
“We are expecting the BJP leaders to approach the department with all details, including the venue and number of people who are expected to participate in the rally. We have adequate staff to provide fool-proof security to the proposed rally,” he added.
Meanwhile, Home Minister K J George told Express that his department would take precautionary measures for the rally.
In the light of serial blasts in Patna during Modi’s public rally on Sunday, George said the DG&IGP and additional director general of police (law and order) would take a decision on the scale of security to be provided for the rally. “If required, the department can approach the government for any assistance,” he added.
The Home Minister said the government would take meetings or rallies of any VVIPs held across the State seriously. The state police are capable of providing security to any rally held by any party. “I am optimistic that Modi’s rally will be held peacefully without any untoward incidents,” he added.
George clarified that the government would not interfere in fixing the venue for any rally, including the proposed rally by the BJP in the city. It was up to the party to decide and take permission from the Police Department.
The police would decide on the kind of security to be provided depending upon the number of VVIPs participating in the programme.