Amit Shah helicopter to use private helipad after WB govt denies permission to land at Malda airport
Kolkata, Jan 21 (IBNS): BJP president Amit Shah's helicopter will land at a private helipad in West Bengal's Malda on Tuesday after the state government did not give permission to land at the local airport, media reports said.
Shah, who was recently admitted to hospital for swine flu treatment, is scheduled to address a rally in Malda on Tuesday.
In its reply to a request from the BJP, the Malda district administration has said it is not possible to grant permission to land VVIP helicopters in this week, reported India Today.
In his letter, additional district magistrate of Malda as quoted by India Today has said: "As per report of the executive engineer, PWD (civil), Malda Division, up-gradation of work at Malda Airport is going on in full swing. A large quantity of fine sand, dust and GSB materials is lying all along the runway and also stacked all around the site."
Moreover, temporary helipad is not maintained properly due to this ongoing construction work. In this situation, Malda Airport is not suitable for safe landing of helicopters. Hence, granting of permission [for Amit Shah's chopper] is not possible," the letter read.
However, some media reports later claimed that persmission for the landing of the helicopter was later granted.
After the state government denied permission for the helicopter's landing, the Bharatiya Janata Party attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the issue and said she was scared seeing the popularity of PM Narendra Modi and his party.
BJP leader Piyush Goyal said while addressing a press conference: "The popularity of BJP and PM Modi left Mamata Banerjee scared and hence she tried to create hurdles for party's program in the state."
He said there was no problem with the venue where Shah's helicopter was supposed to land for the rally.
He said: "There is no problem at the venue. Mamata Banerjee's helicopter also landed on the same place few days ago."
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