On Tuesday, complications arose over the helicopter permission for Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. While heading to Birbhum for 'Jotoi Koro Hamla - Abar Jitbe Bangla' campaign rally via air, he faced unexpected obstacles.
The delay over the helicopter’s clearance forced him to stay at the Behala Flying Club for some time. After a series of discussions, the helicopter was finally cleared for takeoff, allowing the TMC MP to reach Birbhum, albeit much later than scheduled.
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Campaign schedule hit by last-minute delay
Banerjee, who has launched district-wise election campaigning ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, was scheduled to address a public meeting at the Binodpur ground in the Rampurhat Assembly segment later in the day.
His helicopter was scheduled to land much earlier - around 12:15 pm - at the Chilar Math ground in Tarapith. He was also supposed to offer prayers at the Tarapith temple before proceeding to the rally venue - a plan that did not change till morning. However, even as the clock crossed 2 pm, the helicopter failed to take off.
TMC alleges deliberate delay, points finger at BJP
Reportedly, Trinamool Congress claimed that Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials "deliberately" delayed the clearance at the last minute. Suspecting the involvement of BJP, it is viewed as a calculated attempt to disrupt Banerjee's campaign before the forthcoming election and to make sure that he would not be able to reach the rally on time.
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The incident takes place at a very important stage, with Banerjee leading various programs in January in the run-up to the Assembly elections as well as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He is scheduled to address 26 public gatherings in various districts over a span of approximately 19 days in the course of the political campaign.
Reportedly, Abhishek Banerjee is also scheduled to stay overnight in Bolpur today.
