Congress Leader Clarifies After Criticism Over PM Security Lapse Remark

Congress leader Harish Rawat clarified that he said had PM Modi's programme been delayed by 30 minutes, it wouldn't have been a big deal.

Facing flak over his "which bomb would've exploded due to 30 minute delay" remark about the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab earlier this week, Congress leader Harish Rawat on Friday said that his comments had been twisted.

"My statement ('had there been a 30 minutes delay, which bomb would have exploded?') was twisted. I said that after Prime Minister's plan changed, the central and state agencies should have sanitized the route and if the programme had gotten late by 30 minutes, 'kaunsa aasman toot padta (what big deal in this)?" Mr Rawat, a former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, told news agency ANI.

"It was a figure of speech. I said this considering the prime minister's safety. Such things can be said in matters like these," he added.

Mr Rawat, who has been AICC-incharge of Punjab, had commented on the security lapse on Thursday.