SPG cover given on threat perception done by intelligence agencies, not 10 Janpath: BJP

The BJP on Friday said the SPG security cover is given on the basis of threat perception done by intelligence agencies and not by 10, Janpath, the residence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, like yesteryears.

Accusing the Gandhis of violating the SPG security norms on several occasions, the BJP asked why the Congress was "crying" now.

The BJP was responding to the Congress' criticism of the government's decision to replace the SPG security cover of Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with that of the Z-plus security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The Congress accused the BJP government of personal vendetta and endangering the lives of the Gandhis -- the family of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by LTTE terrorists on May 21, 1991.

Underlining that security upgrading or downgrading is an administrative matter, BJP general secretary organisation B L Santhosh said, "SPG or Z+ security cover is decided on threat perception assessment done by intelligence agencies not in 10 Janpath like in yesteryears. Rahul Gandhi has breached protocol more than 300 times.. why cry now?"