Guwahati, April 10 : Chief minister Tarun Gogoi today finally disclosed that it was security concerns that prevented Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from taking the 15km road from Mohanbari airport to the Chowkidingee field in Dibrugarh to address an election rally on April 7.

“The Prime Minister could not make it to the venue because of security concerns, lack of alternative arrangements and a bullet-proof car for the VVIP,” Gogoi said apart from citing Singh’s ill health and soggy venue as the reasons for the aborted road trip.

Inclement weather had prevented the chopper, which Singh was to take from the airport to the venue, to take off and the rally had to be eventually cancelled.

Gogoi later clarified that day that it was the Prime Minister’s ill health that stood in the way of his travel by road.

The rally was scheduled on Ulfa’s raising day on April 7 and a day after several blasts rocked the state.

The revelation about the aborted visit only goes on to reflect that Ulfa remains a potent force in Upper Assam.

Gogoi’s disclosure only went to vindicate a report in The Telegraph that the trip did not materialise because of security worries.

Singh’s ill health was again cited as a reason for cancellation of his scheduled Diphu visit that day. 

However, sources said the visit was shelved because of the 36-hour bandh called by the banned KLNLF. 

The state government had sought additional security forces for the two-phase polls in the state on April 16 and 23. 

“We have taken the blasts seriously. We have asked for more forces and have also identified the vulnerable areas where they will be deployed. We have also asked political parties to take appropriate measures,” Gogoi said.

The impact of the blasts, the violence in NC Hills and Kokrajhar had dented the confidence of the government and the fact was apparent in Gogoi’s observations, when asked about free and fair polls against the backdrop of the developments.

“The Election Commission will be in a position to answer these questions. My duty is to carry out the orders of the poll panel in ensuring free and fair polls. We are still hopeful. Things are not as bad as it was during the AGP tenure when a minister was killed,” he said.