‘Nadda’s vehicle broke security protocol’, say TN Police as BJP blames Stalin govt
TN Police say Nadda’s car sped at 120 km/h, leading to its breakdown, and minister was safely shifted to alternative vehicle equipped with necessary security features
A mechanical failure in Union Health Minister J P Nadda’s bulletproof vehicle during his recent visit to Tamil Nadu has triggered a political controversy, with the state BJP accusing the DMK-led government of negligence, while the Tamil Nadu Police have pointed to speeding by the minister’s convoy as a contributing factor.
TN Police issue clarification
According to a press note released by the Tamil Nadu Police on Monday (May 5), Nadda, who has a Z+ category security cover, arrived at Chennai International Airport on May 2 on a special aircraft. He was received by senior officials, including the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), and was escorted in a bulletproof vehicle as per protocol, with an ambulance and a standby vehicle in the convoy for emergencies.
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Tamil Nadu Police said that, on May 3, Nadda visited the golden temple in Vellore after participating in an SRM University event and returned to Chennai airport to catch his flight.
‘Nadda’s car sped, broke protocol’
Police said, despite established protocols, Nadda’s private Personal Assistant (PA) insisted on driving the convoy at a speed of 120 km/h, exceeding the recommended speed limit for VIP convoys. Police said, according to protocol, bulletproof cars should not be driven like other vehicles.
When the central minister’s convoy reached near the Vandalur-Minjur outer ring road, the bulletproof vehicle developed mechanical issues, which the police attributed to the excessive speed.
The issue, however, was promptly identified, and Nadda was safely shifted to an alternative vehicle equipped with necessary security features. During the sudden stop of the minister’s vehicle, the eighth vehicle in his convoy was rear-ended by another vehicle in the convoy. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the minor collision. The Tamil Nadu Police deployed a total of 120 personnel, including senior officers, to oversee the minister’s security, and Nadda departed from Chennai at 7:30 PM to his next destination.
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BJP blames DMK government
The DGP office’s press note emphasised that police had explicitly instructed the convoy to maintain speed limits for VIP vehicles to ensure safety. The statement suggested that the speeding, driven by the minister’s PA, may have contributed to the mechanical failure of the bulletproof vehicle, though no direct causal link was confirmed.
The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran accusing the DMK government of negligence. Nagendran claimed that the breakdown reflected the state’s failure to maintain the bulletproof vehicle properly, putting the Union minister’s safety at risk.
“This is a clear example of the Tamil Nadu government’s irresponsibility. The safety of a senior Union Minister should not be compromised due to such lapses,” he told the media, demanding accountability from the state administration.
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TN Police refuse allegations
The Tamil Nadu Police, however, have refuted claims of negligence, asserting that all security protocols were followed and that the minister’s safety was never compromised. They highlighted the swift response in shifting Nadda to a secure alternative vehicle and ensuring the convoy’s safety despite the minor collision. The police also reiterated their commitment to providing robust security for dignitaries visiting the state, while stressing the importance of adhering to speed limits for VIP convoys to prevent such incidents in the future.