UP govt to take up Rahul's surprise visit

Taking a serious view of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's surprise visit to eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh, the state government today said it is likely to raise the issue of "security lapse" with the Centre.

"The government has taken a serious view of Rahul's surprise visit to the state without any information either to the local administration or police and it is likely to raise an objection before the Centre in this regard," an official said in New Delhi.

Congress workers said that no official letter had been sent to the Centre yet.

Rahul, who is on a surprise visit to the state, visited Ram Nagar area in Barabanki district yesterday and from there left for Bahraich.

The surprise visit left state government officials in a tizzy as they were caught unawares.

"The state level or local administration should have been informed about Rahul's visit so that adequate security arrangements could have been made," a police officer said.

"As Rahul moves under tight security cover, his surprise visit without any information is a serious lapse, we will talk with the SPG officials in this regard," he said.

Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal said the Congress MP had reached Bhinga in Shravasti district and senior administration and police officers were present on the spot.