Adequate security arrangement for polls, says Chidambaram

Assuring the country of a peaceful election, home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said adequate security arrangements have been made and the reported threat to BJP Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi is being "exaggerated."
   
"There is no need for any alarm. We have taken all measures and placed enough security forces in all states. The security situation is much better," he told reporters here.

Noting that there is a heightened level of security alertness with elections around the corner, the home minister said, "in the last two weeks our security forces have nutralised intrusions and every peace of intelligence is being acted upon."

Asked about the security threat to Varun Gandhi, he said it was based on interrogation of a person who was arrested in Bangalore. "It is being exaggerated."

"I have received a letter from Varun Gandhi. The security agency has been asked to assess the security requirement... he will be provided security as he is a BJP candidate," he said.

On his meeting with BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani at the latter's residence this morning, he said, it was
only to discuss the security arrangements for the leader.

"It is important to visit him in deference of his position and age," Chidambaram said.