Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, was stranded for almost two hours on Friday at Godda in Jharkhand due to a significant delay in his helicopter’s takeoff.
The incident occurred after Gandhi addressed a public rally in Mahagama. For more than an hour, the helicopter was grounded waiting for permission to take off, said congress party.
VIDEO | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter is yet to take off from Jharkhand’s Godda as it awaits clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). pic.twitter.com/B8CTHoJ9Qs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 15, 2024
Congress Blames BJP
Accusing BJP, The congress party claims the delay was deliberate, aiming to disrupt Gandhi’s election campaign ahead of the final phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections.
Congress leader Dipika Pandey Singh reacted with great agitation to the incident, demanding the process be fair. “The country’s top opposition leader has been kept waiting in the chopper for over an hour. They are not granting him permission to leave. I don’t understand why the BJP is doing this,” Singh said.
As per reports, the delay might be in line with airspace restrictions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Jamui, Bihar, about 150 km from Godda.
Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter finally got cleared after a delay of more than two hours.
Hemant Soren’s Helicopter Stranded
This is the second controversy in the week. Earlier Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren helicopter was stranded and was delayed to takeoff was delayed for some time due to security reasons of the Prime Minister.
Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren’s wife was prevented from flying to Latehar for campaigning and stated that BJP and the opposition parties are behind these unnecessary delays.
The first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections were held on November 13, while the second phase has been scheduled for November 20. The results will be announced on Nov 23.
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