Bihar assembly election: Not under district jurisdiction, Purnia DM on ‘denying’ permission to Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter

A day after the Congress accused the Bihar authorities of not giving permission for Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter to land in Purnia, the Purnia district Justice of the Peace (DM) on Friday issued a clarification, saying that since Purnia Air Force station will not be beneath the district administration’s jurisdiction, neither was any permission required from the administration, nor was any utility submitted to it.

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“Transit program for Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Purnia was scheduled on October 23 at Purnia Air Force station. Preparations started as per security protocol and ASL meeting was done. On 22nd, we were informed about a revised program which didn’t include Purnia as transit,” Purnia DM Rahul Kumar stated.

(Read: Rahul Gandhi to kick-start marketing campaign from Nawada, Bhagalpur immediately)

“Purnia Air Force doesn’t come under the jurisdiction of district administration. Permission for landing was neither required from administration nor any application was submitted for the same, hence no question of denying,” stated Kumar.

 

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to start campaigning for the upcoming Bihar meeting polls on Friday with rallies in Nawada and Bhagalpur. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, of which the Congress is a component, is anticipated to be with Gandhi.

After addressing his second rally, in Bhagalpur, the previous Congress president was scheduled to return to Delhi by way of Purnia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi can even start campaigning for the polls immediately with three back-to-back rallies in Sasaram, Gaya and, like Gandhi, in Bhagalpur.

(Read: PM Modi to start election marketing campaign from Sasaram; to current NDA’s improvement agenda)

Bihar will vote in three phases on October 28, November three and November 7. Counting of votes can be performed on November 10.