Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s flight was not denied landing permission in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi but it was cancelled by his chartered airline, the airport authorities said . The Congress has alleged that Gandhi’s plane was not allowed to land at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport late Monday night.
The Varanasi airport, however, said that the airline had written to them last night informing them about their cancellation.
“The flight was cancelled by M/s AR Airways by sending email to AAI Varanasi Airport at 2116 hrs on 13th Feb 2013. Please correct your statement as the flight was cancelled by operator,” the Varanasi airport said in a tweet
Congress leader Ajay Rai on Tuesday alleged that Gandhi’s plane was scheduled to arrive at the Varanasi airport on his return from Wayanad in Kerala but authorities “deliberately” did not grant landing permission due to “pressure”.
Rai said that said he and other party leaders were at the airport to receive their leader but his plane was not allowed to land “at the last minute.” He claimed President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Kashi Vishwanath temple was used as an “excuse”.
The Congress leader further said that Gandhi’s flight was denied landing persmission as the BJP was scared of him. “Prime minister of the country has been anxious since Rahul Gandhi led the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Now, they are troubling Rahul,” he added.
Varanasi airport director Aryama Sanyal told PTI that they did not receive prior information about Gandhi’s visit and that the air traffic controller was told that the plan to land at the airport was cancelled.
