Congress claims laser pointed at Rahul Gandhi's head, MHA says it was mobile's green light

New Delhi, Delhi, India

The Home Ministry has said that it has received no letter from Congress regarding the alleged breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi's security in Amethi on Wednesday. "However, as soon as MHA's attention was drawn to reports that there was an incident of 'green light' being pointed at him yesterday in Amethi, the Director (SPG) was asked to verify the factual position," the Home Ministry spokesperson said today.

"Director (SPG) has informed the MHA that they have gone through the video clipping of the incident very closely. The 'green light' shown in the clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by the AICC photographer, who was videographing the impromptu press interaction of Rahul Gandhi near the collectorate at Amethi," the spokesperson further said adding that there was no security implication whatsoever.

News agency ANI tweeted a letter from the Congress party which it said was sent to Home Minister Rajnath Singh citing a breach in security of Rahul Gandhi when he was in Amethi to file nomination on Wednesday.

"Today (Wednesday), Congress president, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency. Post that nomination, he addressed the media. A perusal of his interaction will reflect that a laser was pointed at his head, on at least 7 separate occasions," the Congress said in its letter about party's roadshow in Amethi.

We reiterate and again request you to initiate immediate action in the matter to investigate and neutralise the threat, if any, the party further said in the letter. It was signed by Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Rahul on Wednesday filed his nomination for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. The three-time Amethi MP was accompanied by UPA chairperson and mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra as he filed his papers.

The Gandhis and other party leaders travelled three kilometres in an open vehicle, and were showered with rose petals and marigold flowers.

Less than a week ago, the Congress president had filed his papers from a second constituency - Wayanad in Kerala - prompting the BJP to accuse Rahul of "fleeing" from home turf Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to face a tough fight in Amethi from Union Minister and BJP nominee Smriti Irani.

In 2014, he defeated her by a reduced margin of about one lakh votes, and the BJP leader has been nursing the constituency since then.

Amethi goes to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. It is virtually a Gandhi versus Irani fight as the SP-BSP-RLD opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh has decided not to field a candidate on the seat.