Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai's latest episode of calling on the Tamil Nadu Governor has sparked a war of words between the party and the DMK government in the state as both the stakeholders attack at each other over what Annamalai alleged as a security lapse during Prime Minister Modi's visit back in July. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Chennai this July to inaugurate 44th Chess Olympiad. The ceremony was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and thousands of participants from across the world. Now, after four months, Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai on Tuesday - November 29 called on Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi with a shocking complaint of alleging that there was a severe security lapse during Modi's visit. 

In his petition, Annamalai urged the Governor to direct the state government to order an enquiry into the matter. Sharing the news and the meeting on Twitter, Annamalai said that he called on Governor Ravi along with senior party leaders and presented a memorandum on a grave security lapse committed by the DMK government during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chennai on July 28 and 29. 

Later, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit issued an official press release in which it highlighted about the lapse and what the party has requested the Governor. Citing the memorandum presented to the Governor, BJP has said in the release, "It has come to light that most of the handheld metal detectors, door frame metal detectors and bomb detectors that were used in the security arrangement were not in order and were overdue for maintenance and replacement." 

By citing that its the responsibility of the state police and the state government to ensure the functioning of security devices, BJP's petition stated that after the Prime Minister's visit and after the Central agencies indicated the security lapses, a circular was sent to all the police stations instructing them to furnish the status report of the security devices. The party noted that this report should have been sent before the Prime Minister's visit. 

The BJP's press release further said, "By compromising on the security devices, the state government has not just goofed up in ensuring a vital area is sanitized before a VVIP's visit but has also missed providing the security personnel on the field with functional security devices, thus putting a risk to our Prime Minister." Handing over the memorandum, the BJP has requested the Governor to instruct the DMK-led state government for an impartial enquiry on this matter and appropriate action should be taken against the guilty. 

How DMK hit back at Annamalai's claim?

While Annamalai's allegations about the security lapse occurred to the Prime Minister have triggered a debate in the state as to why he has approached the Governor about the lapse four months after Modi's visit, DMK has rebutted his allegations and said that the Prime Minister's security is completely vested with the Special Protection Group (SPG) and that even the Chief Minister can't enter into the security detail of the Prime Minister. 

DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Wednesday slammed Annamalai for his claim and said that the BJP leader doesn't know the basics of security even though he served as an IPS officer. Speaking to the reporters at Anna Arivalayam, Elangovan said that the state police no direct role in the Prime Minister's security cover expert supporting the SPG. 

Elangovan pointed out the protocol of SPG that the highest security detail in the country will take control of all security aspects ten days before the Prime Minister's visit and nothing wrong would happen in their security cover. He cited that every devices and parameters will be thoroughly checked by the SPG sleuths before putting them to use during the Prime Minister's visit. 

"Even the Chief Minister cannot enter the Prime Minister's security cover. This is known to everyone. If Annamalai makes allegations, he is attacking the reputation of the Union Home Ministry and not on the state government", Elangovan added and asked whether Annamalai has any issues with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is responsible for the SPG.