No bee buzzes at Rahul Gandhi's meeting venue

Stung by the bee episode at a BSP rally in Lucknow, the district administration and security agencies have taken great pains to remove all beehives near the venue of a meeting at Sultanpur, to be attended by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Civil and police officials, along with horticulture department staff were on the job since past two days to clear the Vikash Bhavan campus of the two massive beehives which were there since last several years.

The police, monitored by the Special Protection Group personnel, had been trying to clear the bees and declare the area as safe for the meeting. Officials here said the SPG men had asked for clearing the area before the district vigilance and monitoring committee meeting to be attended by Gandhi.

Though the beehives in the Vikas Bhawan campus was a non-issue last time when Gandhi had come for a similar meeting but the controversy over the appearance of bees at the BSP Maharally on March 15 seemed to have alerted the district administration.

A swarm of bees had appeared over Ramabai Ambedkar ground during BSP's rally when chief minister Mayawati was addressing party workers.

After the incident, the BSP alleged that appearance of the bees at the rally ground was a conspiracy hatched by the opponents of the ruling party following which the state government had ordered an inquiry. An FIR had also been lodged by the police against unidentified persons.