Explorer

Rahul Gandhi's Chopper Stuck In Jharkhand After Failing To Get Clearance From ATC

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was grounded in Godda, Jharkhand, purportedly due to ATC clearance delays.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was stranded in Jharkhand's Godda on Friday after failing to get clearance from the Air Traffic Control. The Congress has alleged that this was a deliberate attempt to throw Rahul Gandhi's election campaign in the state off course before the final phase of the assembly polls. 

The chopper did not receive clearance for about 45 minutes and was stranded. Videos from the spot showed Rahul Gandhi sitting inside the helicopter awaiting permission to take off.

ALSO READ | Watch: Rs 50,000 Cash Found Stashed In Spare Tyre In Poll-Bound Jharkhand

Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address a public meeting in Bermo and had to fly to the venue in the chopper. The Congress alleged that this was a deliberate move of the ATC because PM Narendra Modi was addressing a rally in Chakai, which is around 150 km away from Bermo.

Earlier this week, a similar incident happened with JMM leader and CM Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren when her chopper did not receive flight clearance for nearly 50 minutes.

Reacting to the incident, Deepika Pandey Singh, MLA and Congress candidate from Mahagama Constituency said: "Just because the PM is in Deogarh, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to cross that area...There is the protocol we understand but Congress ruled the country for 70 years and such an incident never happened with any opposition leader...This is not acceptable."

Rahul Gandhi's chopper eventually took off at 2:50 PM.

ALSO READ | Congress Promises LPG Dole To 'Infiltrators' In Jharkhand, JMM Clarifies After BJP Lashes Out

Top Headlines

Pakistan Testing Fatah Missile? 750-Km NOTAM Sparks Buzz As India Airspace Ban Extended
Pakistan Testing Fatah Missile? 750-Km NOTAM Sparks Buzz As India Airspace Ban Extended
'Economic D-Day': Trump Warns Countries Helping Iran Of ‘Tremendous’ Consequences
'Economic D-Day': Trump Warns Countries Helping Iran Of ‘Tremendous’ Consequences
India Alters Security Arrangement Outside Pakistan High Commission After Islamabad Action
India Alters Security Arrangement Outside Pakistan High Commission After Islamabad Action
Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit Sparks Criticism As Religious Freedom Body Seeks RSS Sanction
Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit Sparks Criticism As Religious Freedom Body Seeks RSS Sanction

Videos

Rajasthan News: Congress Protests in Jaipur Over Rajasthan’s Education System
Rain Exposes Ground Reality: Pregnant Woman Carried Across Drain, Bridges Washed Away
West Bengal News: Violent Clash at Jadavpur University Leaves 6–7 ABVP Students Injured
India-Pakistan Relations: India Removes Alleged Encroachment Outside Pakistan High Commission in Delhi
Weather Alert: Heavy Rain and Floods Trigger Widespread Havoc Across UP, J&K and Madhya Pradesh

Photo Gallery

25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Embed widget