Sensing conspiracy, BJP takes Modi flight delay issue to EC

Sensing conspiracy in the delay in Narendra Modi's flight from Delhi, BJP on Tuesday approached the Election Commission on the issue and sought directions to the Civil Aviation authorities for early clearances to its prime ministerial candidate.

In its complaint to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, BJP alleged "conspiracy" in today's delay in Modi's flight from Delhi to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh that affected his election campaign as he reached hours behind schedule.

BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sent the complaint to the CEC alleging that there seemed to be a conspiracy behind Tuesday’s delay in his helicopter flight.

Seeking EC's intervention, Naqvi urged it to direct civil aviation authorities for early clearances to Modi, as he was the party's star campaigner and prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP also asked the EC to ensure that such a delay would not happen again as today's delay seems "deliberate" to affect his poll schedule.

Modi has been addressing four election rallies everyday across the country and is to address more than 185 such poll rallies in the run up to the elections.

With flight delays hitting his campaign in UP and MP, Modi attacked the Centre alleging a "conspiracy" and demanded that Election Commission probe the matter.

Daring the Congress-led UPA, he said if it was so scared of him, it should declare that it would not let him fly during the current election.

At poll rallies in Bareilly in UP and Rewa in MP which began hours behind schedule, Modi said the EC is the "umpire" in the ongoing electoral contest so it should ensure that all political parties are treated the same.

"I request the Election Commission, as you are the umpire, you should see who were the people who conspired to delay my helicopter by three hours. All political parties should have a level playing field," he said.

Apparently holding the UPA government responsible for the delays, an angry Modi said his "helicopter may or may not take off but the government at the Centre will definitely be sent packing."

Aviation authorities today said the main reason was his private charter aircraft did not have air defence clearances needed at the air force station in Bareilly.

Reacting sharply on the delay in Modi's flight clearances, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted, "UPA Govt at the Centre has become desperate, today they deliberately delayed Modi Ji's plane first at Delhi and then at Bareilly."

Chouhan accused the UPA government of deliberately trying such tactics to stop Modi from his victory run and said, "UPA may use dirty tricks to delay Modiji's plane but they cannot stop his victory run. EC must enquire into this incident and take action.

"By resorting to such tactics it seems Congress and UPA have already conceded defeat," his another tweet said.

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