“In Mumbai, BJP members are backing Raj Thackeray and Mumbai Navnirman Sena. But during public meetings at Uttarakhand, they criticise the thrashing of north Indians in Mumbai,” he said.

Asked about him being denied permission to interact with the students of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Rahul said: “I wanted to meet the students and despite the hurdles, was successful in doing so. I am willing to go anywhere for the cause of the people.”

Cong alleges security breach, police deny

LUCKNOW: The state unit of Congress party alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s security was breached during the latter’s visit to Kanpur on Friday. In a statement, state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that no pilot or escort was provided to Rahul.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanpur, Hari Ram Sharma, however, denied the allegation. “Security was tightened for Rahul Gandhi”s visit and a pilot vehicle escorted his fleet. There was some confusion when the pilot took a turn for the circuit house and Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle headed towards the Chandra Shekhar Azad University,” Sharma said. “By the time the policemen could return to join the fleet, Rahul Gandhi had reached the university. The pilot vehicle along with a contingent of police force remained with the Congress MP since morning till he left for New Delhi,” he added.

The SSP said that since Rahul’s programme at the university had been cancelled, it was assumed that he would return Circuit House.

DIG of Kanpur Range Kamal Saxena said: “Rahul Gandhi is an SPG-protected VIP and the police are bound to follow the security norms laid down. The district police had deployed a fool-proof security for the VIP’s visit and there was no security breach.”