The government's decision comes in the backdrop of complaints that Rahul Gandhi had allegedly been violating SPG protocols during his travels abroad and within the country.From Special Protection Group (SPG) to CRPF Z-plus, the Centre has downgraded the security cover for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, based on the latest threat assessment by security agencies, sources told The Indian Express.
The three were under SPG cover since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Two months ago, the government had similarly downgraded the security cover for Congress leader and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The latest decision was slammed by Congress leaders, with the party's general secretary K C Venugopal accusing the government of “playing with the lives of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka”. Senior leader Ahmed Patel accused the ruling BJP of deploying the “ultimate personal vendetta mechanism” and “compromising the lives of family members of two former Prime Ministers to acts of terror and violence”.
Later, Rahul Gandhi posted on Twitter: “A big thank you to all my brothers & sisters in the SPG who worked tirelessly to protect me & my family over the years. Thank you for your dedication, your constant support & for a journey filled with affection & learning. It has been a privilege. All the best for a great future.”
Sources told The Indian Express that the downgrade…
