Dehradun, Jan 5 (PTI) Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday described the "security lapse" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's travel that led to him being stranded on a flyover in Punjab a "conspiracy hatched by the Congress".

Modi's Punjab visit was cut short after a "major security lapse" as he was stranded on a flyover for 20 minutes due to a blockade by protesters, prompting the Union Home Ministry to seek an immediate report from the state government and strict action against those responsible.

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Joshi alleged that it appears to have been part of a pact between the Congress and Pakistan to detain the prime minister for so long near the Pakistan border.

"It is not an ordinary incident. You all know about the proximity of Punjab Congress leaders, especially Navjot Singh Sidhu, with Pakistani leaders. He embraces them," he said.

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"Based on the news and video clippings I saw on TV, I can say it was a conspiracy hatched by the Congress in full knowledge of the state government," Joshi, who is also the BJP's election in charge, said.

He said the Congress will have to answer to the whole nation for this lapse.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)