New Delhi: The Central Government has issued new guidelines to the Special Protection Group (SPG) related to the security of the Gandhi family. It is now mandatory that the SPG personnel must accompany the Gandhis during their foreign trips as well. This means that the Gandhi family members cannot undertake secretive trips abroad as they used to do.
The SPG, who gives security to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, do not accompany these Gandhis during their travel abroad. The SPG personnel were returned home soon after the Gandhis reached their first destination. From there on, the destination of each member of the Gandhi family was kept secret.
Under the new guidelines from now on the Gandhis must give the details of their foreign travels. They are also asked to give information of their past travels also, which means that their elusive trips will be monitored from now on.
The guidelines also states that if anyone do not comply with these rules then the Center can block them from visiting foreign countries by citing security considerations.
The Special Protection Group was formed in 1985 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It gives protection to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their families for a period of 10 years.
Former Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, has a penchant for going on foreign trips in short notice. These elusive trips use to embarrass his own party men as they become leaderless during the time of his absence. They would have no clue about his destination or purpose of his travel.
Interestingly, his trips are mostly timed when the Congress party is facing critical issues. This time around, Rahul Gandhi has not changed the tradition and is leaving the country before the crucial Haryana and Maharashtra elections.
