Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday defended his government’s decision to withdraw the SPG cover from the members of the Gandhi family including Congress MPs, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The issue became a topic of intense debate inside the parliament during the passage of the SPG Amendment Bill. While defending the government’s decision, Shah appeared to commit a gaffe prompting the Congress to take potshots at the home minister.
Speaking inside the parliament, Shah said, “There’s no question of reviewing the SPG cover for Narendra Modi ji after five years. Even he wouldn’t get the SPG cover after five years if such time comes. He wouldn’t get it. Everyone now knows that this Act is clear.”
Sharing the clip of Shah’s audio, Congress leader from Goa, Girish Chodankar tweeted, “”Ab yeh bilkul spashta ho chuka hai, 5 Saal ke baad Narendra Modi ko SPG suraksha nahi milegi”: Home Minister @AmitShah admits that enough is enough with @BJP4India @pmo
@narendramodi . Der se aayi Durust aayi.”
Another Congress leader Pawan Khera tweeted, “I agree with Amit Bhai Shah. This is the last term of the bjp govt.”
I agree with Amit Bhai Shah. This is the last term of the bjp govt. https://t.co/ol7AtU2A4V
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) December 3, 2019
Not just Congress leaders, even ordinary social media users also deduced the same interpretation as one used asked, “Does it mean that Modi ji will not contest next time and become former PM after five years?”
Does it mean that Modi ji will not contest next time and become former PM after five years?
— Jayaprakash Reddy (@DrjpreddyReddy) December 3, 2019
The Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill 2019 states that SPG cover will be provided to former prime ministers and their immediate family members staying with them at the residence allotted for a period of five years after they have demitted the office. From the short clip shared by Congress leaders, it’s not clear whether Shah meant five years after Modi has demitted the office.