Prime Minister Narendra Modi experienced significant travel disruption on Friday, as his Indian Air Force (IAF) plane encountered a technical snag shortly after his return from Bihar, leading to an unexpected delay at Deoghar Airport in Jharkhand. Officials confirmed that the Prime Minister had to shift to a different aircraft after waiting for over two hours, as the issues with his original plane could not be resolved.
The Prime Minister’s original itinerary included addressing a rally in Jamui, Bihar, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, an event recognized as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.’ Following his speech, PM Modi was scheduled to return to New Delhi, but the malfunction left him stranded at the airport. Local officials reported the situation, stating, “The PM has been at the Deoghar airport for more than an hour now. What would be the alternative arrangement for his return to Delhi is being discussed.”
In light of the circumstances, authorities declared a ‘no flying zone’ over the area to manage the situation safely, underscoring the security implications surrounding high-profile Figure movements.
Simultaneously, another political figure faced transport difficulties. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition, found himself stuck in Godda after his helicopter was unable to take off, coinciding with the airspace restrictions triggered by PM Modi’s delay. Reports indicated that Gandhi addressed a rally but was unable to leave the area for nearly two hours. The Congress party expressed strong dissatisfaction with the situation, alleging that the restrictions on Gandhi’s helicopter were orchestrated by the administration for political purposes. State minister Deepika Pandey Singh claimed, “Our leader Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre.”
These incidents highlight the complexities and challenges of political travel in India, particularly when multiple leaders operate within close proximity and unexpected technical issues arise. The situation has led to inquiries and discussions regarding the management of air space and the protocols in place during such high-profile events.
