India refuses England?s request for PM?s car checking

New Delhi : Hosting the XIX Commonwealth Games (CWG) is proving to be on bumpy ride for India, with the prime minister?s car also emerging as a potential roadblock.

After having heaved criticism on the host nation for the sloppy preparations and raising concerns for hygiene and security, the English side on Saturday demanded that the car of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should also be checked before being allowed into the Games venues.

The Indian side had, of course, put its foot firmly down on the issue and refused the request.

England?s Chef de Mission apparently pointed during a meeting here that VVIPs cars were allowed to enter the CWG venues without any checks and he demanded that these cars also be subjected to security checking.

?Check all cars, including that of the PM, Union Ministers as they enter any stadium,? he reportedly said.

Flatly refusing to entertain the request, India said, “How will you feel if Prince Charles’ car is checked? There is no question of PM & cabinet ministers car being checked.”

India had already decided to transport all VIPs, except the top brass including Singh and Prince Charles, by bus to the CWG opening ceremony venue in view of a threat percept.