A senior BJP leader has reiterated the party's demand that it be allowed to deploy drones to monitor security for a much-awaited rally at Kolkata on August 11 that will be addressed by party chief Amit Shah.
Kailash Vijayavargiya told mediapersons on Thursday that drones were essential as lakhs of people were expected to gather at the rally venue at Gandhi Statue on Mayo Road in Kolkata on Saturday. The rally featuring Shah is expected to start around 11am and stretch into the afternoon.
On Wednesday, the BJP had first raised the demand for it to be allowed to use drones to monitor Shah's rally. BJP West Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh also sought that BJP members be allowed to carry walkie-talkies to coordinate security at the event.
Reacting to the BJP's demand, an official of the Kolkata Police had said, "We are yet to make a decision on the request made by the BJP. A detailed report, stating the reasons, is required before granting permission for drone use," the officer said.
The build-up to Shah's rally has been accompanied by controversy, including claims the Kolkata Police had denied permission for the event. Shah had declared his intention to address the event and reportedly dared the Trinamool Congress government to arrest him. The BJP has billed the Shah rally as a show of strength ahead of the coming general election. The party had threatened street protests if permission was not granted for Shah's rally.
The demand for increased security for Shah comes after over 90 people were injured when a tent collapsed over them at a rally being addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Midnapore in July. The BJP had claimed the Mamata Banerjee government had ignored its security concerns about the event.
(With PTI inputs)