Insolence towards PM Narendra Modi in Punjab; event cancelled

Punjab : The worst thing a PM could face is stuck on road; and it happened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab as he was going for an event by road. In a massive security breach, he was stuck on a flyover for about 20 minutes and then had to return because of protesting farmers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders slammed ruling Congress party in the state and said that the incident is an example of their 'murderous intentions'. Meanwhile, CM Charanjit Singh Channi denied any lapses and said that he would die for PM but he was never in danger.

The visuals from Bhatinda showed PM's convoy stuck on a flyover, surrounded by Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel. PM Modi was seen sitting in a black armoured Toyota Fortuner. Images tweeted by a BJP worker showed posters held up as the PM's car drove by. A BJP bus following the convoy was heckled by protesters.

PM Modi later decided to cut short his trip and return to the airport.

"The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the security of PM," said the Home Ministry in a statement.

It was the "single biggest lapse in the security of any Indian Prime Minister in recent years", added the BJP.

Earlier, PM Modi had landed in Bhatinda. He was scheduled to go to the event site via a helicopter but amid poor weather condition, he decided to go by road.

Around 10 km from the rally site, the PM's convoy was blocked by farm protesters.

"It was a murderous conspiracy to kill the PM. The Congress hates him, now they want to harm him," said BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Chief Minister Channi, facing BJP attacks, expressed regret that the PM had to return but pointed out that the plan changed at the last minute and that the convoy was offered an alternative route.

"As a Punjabi, I would die to protect you...but there was no danger to his life. There was no security breach. We have every respect for our Prime Minister," CM Channi said.