Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Wednesday virtually ruled out extending Special Protection Group (SPG) cover to the BJP's prime minister nominee Narendra Modi, saying a law determines who could get such protection.
He also pointed out that Modi was already under the security cover of the National Security Guard (NSG).
"There is a law... The SPG is given according to the law. Modi has already been provided security by the National Security Guard (NSG)," Shinde told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a Joint Retreat Ceremony held by border guards of India and Bangladesh at the Petrapole-Benapole border in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal.
The BJP has demanded escalation of Modi's security in view of the blasts at his Patna rally last month.
Shinde said the police and investigative agencies need to be congratulated for booking the culprits immediately after the blasts.
"Not only that, we have investigated those involved in the Gaya incident (Bodh Gaya temple explosions of July this year). That shows the efficiency of the Indian police," he said.
Shinde said India needs to be on alert from all countries, but refused to name any one country which poses the greatest security threat to India.
