Flying Feud: Jharkhand's Aerial Dispute Amid PM's Visit

Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi defended flight restrictions imposed during PM Modi’s visit, dismissing JMM's concerns over delays to CM Hemant Soren’s helicopter. He emphasized these protocols are longstanding for security reasons, existing even under previous regimes. JMM urged presidential intervention for fair assembly poll campaigning.

In a heated exchange, Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi on Tuesday countered the JMM's request for presidential intervention. The controversy arose after Chief Minister Hemant Soren's helicopter was delayed for over 90 minutes, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state.

Marandi stressed that such protocols, which restrict helicopter travel within the Prime Minister's radar, have been implemented for years, maintaining these measures are vital for security. This practice, he noted, is consistent across regimes, including those under Congress.

Earlier, the JMM wrote to President Murmu, alleging Electoral Commission partiality after Soren's flight delay. They argued these restrictions hindered equal campaigning opportunities for all parties ahead of Jharkhand's assembly elections, set for November 13 and 20, with results expected on November 23.

(With inputs from agencies.)