Security beefed up ahead of Modi's rally in UP

The security personnel have made tight security arrangements for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich town today.

Authorities are taking extra care for the Gujarat Chief Minister's security since the serial blasts that rocked the BJP's mega rally in Patna on October 27.

According to Television reports, the Gujarat Police is camping in Bahraich, which borders Nepal and where militant groups are known to be active.

The security forces have also decided to check the ground for hidden explosives. Door-frame metal detectors are also being installed at all entry points at the venue.

This will be Modi's third rally in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year. He addressed mega rallies in Kanpur and Jhansi last month.

On Thursday, Modi addressed three rallies in Chhattisgarh where he criticised the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

However, the BJP and the Congress-led UPA have locked horns over security protection to Modi, with each side accusing the other of playing politics over the threat perception to the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Citing the example of the October 27 Patna serial blasts at Modi's 'Hunkar' rally that left seven dead and over 80 injured, the BJP is demanding foolproof security of the level of the PM for Modi, but the Congress-led government, which insists his security has already been tightened, has ruled out Special Protection Group (SPG) protection for him because it needs legal amendment.

Minister of State for Home RPN Singh on Wednesday said that Modi has been given adequate security.

"Security is given depending on the threat perception. The Home Ministry has already given him NSG (National Security Guard) cover and special security before any programme," Singh told media here.