Bhopal: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was prevented by the Madhya Pradesh police from attending a reception meet here, citing possible protest by Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) Saturday.

Later, the BJP-led state government apologized to Pinarayi for the untoward incident. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Chouhan spoke to Pinarayi over phone while state DGP apologized to him in person.

The MP police sent back the Kerala CM from attending a reception meet arranged by various Malalyali outfits when he was on his way to the venue, the Bhopal School of Social Sciences. Pinarayi was apprised of possible protests by a police officer in the convoy that accompanied him. The cop informed the Kerala CM that the SP in charge of the place had advised him not to attend the event. The police officer, however, left it to the CM to take a call on whether to attend the function or not.

Pinarayi decided to cancel the event saying he does not wish to go to a place as opposed to the warning by those who handle security affairs there.

Earlier in the day, the veteran communist leader attended a meeting of the All India Democratic Women's Association in Bhopal where he criticized the central government's demonetization.

The reception meet which was scheduled to be held at 5.30 pm, was organized by United Malayali Association, Bhopal Malayali Association and South Bhopal Malayali Samajam.

However, Madhya Pradesh DGP Rishi Kumar Shukla denied the allegations and said, "no question arises of not providing security to the Kerala chief minister".

"I don't want to comment on what the CPM leader is alleging. It has not happened".

Leaders of some Hindu outfits were protesting before the BSSS college gate where Pinarayi was supposed to be felicitated in the evening.

Police later took nearly 20 protestors into custody from the spot.

Bhopal Malyali Community Association Programme Convenor, O.D. Joseph said the programme was organised without Pinarayi's presence whose scheduled visit to the venue was "cancelled due to security reasons".

Meanwhile, DIG of Bhopal Raman Singh Sikarwar clarified that in view of the protest by Hindu outfits, police had requested the Kerala Chief Minister to delay his visit to the venue for sometime for security reasons.

"We have never said that we won't provide security to him. We were ready to take him to the venue but in order to avoid unpleasant situation, we had just asked him to delay the visit," he said.

"However, the Chief Minister decided not to visit the venue and therefore it was cancelled," he added.

(With agency inputs)