PM Modi in vicinity, Rahul Gandhi helicopter's takeoff stalled; Congress cries foul

NEW DELHI: With Rahul Gandhi stranded in Godda after authorities didn't allow his flight to take off on Friday afternoon, Congress complained to the Election Commission that there is an absence of level playing field for the opposition, which is limiting the party's poll campaign in Jharkhand. The party even alleged that BJP is using the control of government to clamp down on the opposition's election rallies.

Rahul was to fly from Godda to Deoghar for an election rally, but was told that his helicopter could not take off as PM Modi was in the vicinity.

Congress's Jairam Ramesh wrote to the EC: "They (Rahul's team) have been informed that due to the protocol of other leaders in the vicinity, a no-fly zone restriction had been put in place. In fact, due to the said delay, all subsequent programmes of Rahul Gandhi (for which prior permission had been secured) are now either being delayed or cancelled."

"We request your commission to urgently intervene in this situation and ensure that the level playing field is not disrupted in such a manner. If such a situation is allowed to prevail, then the ruling regime (at the Centre) and its leaders can always take undue advantage of such protocols and limit the election campaign of opposition leaders," he added.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "This mistreatment took place on Birsa Munda Ji's jayanti, when Gandhi was in his birthplace to commemorate his contributions towards adivasi rights."