INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
government to land his chopper at Malda airstrip for a rally tomorrow, BJP chief Amit Shah has decided to circumvent issue by touching down
at a private helipad in region instead
According to a press note from state BJP, helicopter will now land at Golden Park Hotels and Resorts -- a property with adequate
infrastructure for purpose.The administration's refusal to allow Mr Shah's helicopter to land at Malda airstrip had snowballed into a major
controversy, with BJP citing it as an instance of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "misusing state machinery for political ends"
The government, however, maintained that BJP president could not be allowed to land there due to ongoing renovation work
I also change my chopper's landing spot on police's request
We granted permission for rally because we believe in democracy
They (BJP leaders) are distorting information and misleading people," Ms Banerjee said.The state authorities had cited ongoing construction
work to direct Mr Shah's helicopter to another landing strip
"Upgradation work is going on, and there is sand as well as construction material lying around
Permission cannot be given because airport is not suitable for safe landing of helicopters
Moreover, temporary helipad in Malda is not being maintained properly due to ongoing construction work," a letter from Additional District
Magistrate of Malda, dated January 20, stated.BJP Malda district secretary Gopal Saha, in his response, wondered how state government
rejection of permission amounted to "abuse of power" on state government's part
"Permission was denied on grounds that renovation work is being taken up, and there is construction material littered on runway
But Mamataji's helicopter had landed on same airstrip a few days ago
Some journalists went there too, and I have pictures to prove it," he said.Mr Shah was discharged from Delhi's All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, where he was being treated for swine flu, on Sunday.(With inputs from Agencies)
