New Delhi: March 13, 2008 -  Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday dismissed the issue of alleged violation of security rules during his visit to Orissa last week, saying he did not need permission of SPG or police to meet people.

"I know the concerns of security. I don't need the permission of SPG or SP to meet people," Gandhi told reporters shortly after the matter was raised in the Lok Sabha by BJD member Braj Kishore Tripathi.

Tripathi said the Orissa government had been put in a "difficult situation" as Gandhi, who has Z-Plus security, had left the NALCO Guest House in naxal-infested Koraput for some "undisclosed destination" for four hours at night on March 7 without informing local police.

"My intention was to remove the distance between the leader and people," Rahul Gandhi said.

The Lok Sabha witnessed several bouts of clashes between UPA and NDA after Tripathi raised the issue.