Home ministry dismisses Rahul's comment on SPG as 'baseless', 'devoid of fact'

The Home Ministry Monday dismissed as "baseless" and "devoid of fact" Congress president Rahul Gandhi's statement that a former SPG chief had to quit because he refused to accept a list of officers handpicked by the RSS.

It also said the force is a professional organisation which guards the serving prime minister, former prime ministers and their families.

"The comment reportedly made by Gandhi through the media is baseless, devoid of fact and unfortunate, coming from an SPG protectee," the ministry said in a statement.

Rahul Gandhi, his mother and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka are among the Special Protection Group's protectees.

The SPG is a professional organisation that takes its task of protecting serving prime ministers, former prime ministers and their families entrusted to its security very seriously, and in the highest professional spirit, the ministry said.

Rahul Gandhi, at an interaction with academicians here Saturday, had alleged that educational institutions, the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India and others are "systematically being captured" by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Citing an example, the Congress chief had alleged, "When Mr (Narendra) Modi came to power, a person from Gujarat was chosen to head the SPG. In a short time, he left the position. He told me that he refused a list of SPG officers handpicked by the RSS, and that is why he was sent home."