Congress Urges EC for Fair Play Amid Chopper Controversy

The Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging the improper grounding of Rahul Gandhi's helicopter, disrupting his campaign in Jharkhand. The party seeks the Commission's intervention to ensure a level playing field, arguing that other leaders' protocols shouldn't interfere with election campaigns.

The Congress on Friday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the alleged improper grounding of party leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter amidst the ongoing electoral campaign in Jharkhand. They are calling for urgent intervention to maintain fair competition in electioneering.

The complaint alleges that Gandhi's helicopter was unable to take off due to imposed restrictions, resulting in delays and cancellations of his scheduled public meetings. Jairam Ramesh, Congress' general secretary for communications, highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign should not overshadow those of other political figures.

Ramesh emphasized the necessity of a level playing field, stating that Gandhi had acquired the necessary permissions for his state tour. Despite having approval, the helicopter couldn't depart from Godda due to a no-fly zone being enforced for other leaders, impacting Gandhi's pre-scheduled programs. The Congress seeks immediate rectification from the Election Commission to prevent ruling party advantages.

(With inputs from agencies.)