'Authorities Didn't Follow Protocol': Jharkhand Poll Official Amid Row Over Hemant Soren's Chopper Delay

The JMM had written a letter to President Murmu, saying that a no-fly zone had been imposed due to PM Modi's visit to Garhwa and Chaibasa on Monday.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren arrives to address a public meeting in Gumla district for upcoming Assembly elections on November 3.

Source : PTI

Jharkhand's Chief Election Officer on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Hemant Soren's helicopter was grounded on November 4 as authorities did not follow the protocol before declaring the airspace a no-fly zone. This comes after the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha sought President Droupadi Murmu's intervention to ensure a level-playing field for star campaigners in the upcoming assembly polls, alleging Soren's helicopter was not allowed to take off for one-and-a-half hours due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on November 4.

The JMM had written a letter to President Murmu, saying that a no-fly zone had been imposed due to PM Modi's visit to Garhwa and Chaibasa on Monday.

"A political party raised issue over equal use of airspace and airports of Ranchi and Deoghar. We had a meeting with the Ranchi Airport director. We clarified there will be no restrictions unless there is any closure of airspace. If such a thing happens, he has to inform about the protocols beforehand. This was not followed. We have asked for a clarification report. Action will be taken after the report is received,” CEO K Ravi Kumar told news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand | On CM Hemant Soren’s chopper take-off delay in view of PM Modi’s security, Chief Election Officer of Jharkhand, K Ravi Kumar says, " This issue was raised by some political party over equal use of airspace and airport of Ranchi and Deoghar. Regarding… pic.twitter.com/4tGQuKGes0

— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024

Chopper Grounded Despite EC's Approval: JMM In Letter To Murmu

JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya stated in the letter to the President that star campaigner Hemant Soren was scheduled to address an election meeting at 2.25 pm at Bazar Tand in Simdega, while PM Modi had to be in Chaibasa at 2.40 pm to address an election rally. The distance between Gudri and Chaibasa is 80 km while it is 90 km to Simdega.

He claimed that the EC had approved Soren's visit but the his helicopter was grounded for one-and-a-half hours, citing the security protocol of the prime minister. He further said that the EC had said that the 'no flying zone' would be declared for 15 minutes in a 50 km radius for security reasons. However, he claimed that Soren's helicopter was not allowed for one-and-a-half hours.

"Our CM comes from a tribal community and reached this position after a great struggle. You also belong to the tribal community and reached the highest office in the country after a long struggle," the letter said, requesting Murmu to ensure all star campaigners, including tribal public representatives, get equal constitutional protection and respect, PTI reported. 

Soren had called the chopper delay a "conspiracy" against him by the BJP-led central government.

Here's What BJP Jharkhand Head Said On Chopper Delay

Former CM and state unit chief of the BJP Babulal Marandi said that there was "nothing new" in the protocol of not allowing choppers within the PM's radar area.

"This has happened for years, wherever PM holds a program. This is done due to security reasons. We too prepare our program like that. We don't hold our programs in the area where PM's program is scheduled for the day because we know flying a helicopter will not be allowed there until he leaves. It has happened during the Congress regime as well," Marandi said.

The Jharkhand assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 13 and 20. The counting of votes will be held on November 23.