Hans News Service
Bulandshahr/Lucknow
A political row erupted in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday over the denial of helicopter landing permission for Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed Bulandshahr visit, with the former chief minister alleging a deliberate attempt to scuttle his programme. The BJP, however, refuted the charge.
Yadav’s September 11 visit was postponed after district authorities refused permission for his helicopter to land at the designated site, saying a technical inspection had found the ground unsuitable for a safe landing.
SP district president Matloob Ali said the programme had been postponed because permission for helicopter landing was not granted and a fresh date would be announced later.
But Yadav had already accused the Uttar Pradesh government and administration of manufacturing an excuse to stop his programme.
“There is no waterlogging anywhere near the helipad in Bulandshahr. By deliberately showing cement, mortar and paver blocks, the administration, on the government’s covert instructions, is looking for an excuse to cancel our September 11 programme,” Yadav said in a post on X .
He demanded that impartial experts inspect the site in the presence of SP office-bearers.
Yadav also suggested that the administration could come up with another excuse if he decided to travel by road. “If we come by road, will excuses also be made about the poor condition of the expressway, highway or roads? Because all those roads are actually fit for travel,” he said.
“The public is asking why the helipad and the weather turn bad only for the opposition?” Yadav said. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow on Thursday afternoon, Yadav again took a swipe at the administration, showing a video of the proposed landing site and saying there appeared to be no waterlogging there.
“It seems as if there has been a flood and we will have to go there by boat,” he remarked sarcastically. Yadav also said a programme had earlier been proposed in Bulandshahr during the Sawan period but was subsequently postponed.