The Congress on Friday (November 15) complained to the Election Commission (EC) against the alleged grounding of party leader Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter in poll-bound Jharkhand and sought its urgent intervention to ensure a level playing field in the election campaign.

In a letter to the EC, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to take off due to restrictions that led to the postponement or cancellation of his public meetings.

All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, accusing it of denying the Congress a level playing field in elections.

“There should be a level playing field in campaigning. Prime Minister’s campaign cannot take precedence over everyone else’s. Today, Rahul Gandhi was delayed in Jharkhand because of this,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

There should be a level playing field in the campaign. The Prime Minister’s campaign cannot take precedence over everyone else’s. Today, Rahul Gandhi was delayed in Jharkhand for this reason. Here is our communication to @ECISVEEP. pic.twitter.com/gJHGglLwR4

– Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 15, 2024

In his complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, Ramesh sought his urgent intervention, saying a level playing field should be maintained.

He said Gandhi was in Jharkhand for a Congress election rally and had secured all necessary permissions to travel across the state and attend all pre-scheduled polling events.

As per the approved schedule and permissions in place, Gandhi and his team were to take off from Godda to fly to other locations in the state at 1:15 pm, he said.

“However, their mode of travel, which was allowed to fly at 13.15 IST, was not allowed to take the flight. They were informed that due to the protocol of other leaders in the vicinity, the no-fly zone was restricted. In fact, due to the said delay, all subsequent programs of Shri Rahul Gandhi (for which prior permission was secured) are now either postponed or cancelled,” Ramesh said in his complaint.

“We call on your Commission to urgently intervene in this situation and ensure that the level playing field is not disrupted in this way.

“If such a situation is allowed to prevail, then the ruling regime and its leaders can always take undue advantage of such protocols and curtail the election campaign of opposition leaders,” Ramesh said in his complaint.

In a post on X, Venugopal accused the Modi government of being “impatient” and resorting to “petty tactics” to stop Gandhi from campaigning.

“The almost 2-hour delay in the take-off of LOP Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji’s helicopter (caused by Air Traffic Control) smacks of BJP’s intention to deny Congress a level playing field in these elections,” Venugopal said, adding that the Congress has approached the ECI and will seek a explanation.

Almost 2 hours delay in LOP Shri @RahulGandhi Ji’s helicopter taking off (caused by Air Traffic Control) smacks of BJP’s intention to deny Congress a level playing field in this election.

This mistreatment took place on the jayanti of Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda Ji,… pic.twitter.com/uEVOzsPdi8

— KC Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) November 15, 2024

“This mistreatment took place on Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda Ji’s jayanti when Rahul Ji is in his native Jharkhand to commemorate his contributions to Adivasi rights.

“The Modi government is so impatient that it will resort to such petty tactics to stop Rahul Ji, who for decades has been speaking for the empowerment of Adivasis and protecting the Constitution at all costs. People of Jharkhand know very well the shameless attitude of BJP and will punish. them on polling day,” Venugopal said.

Congress leader and former Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas said, “BJP’s brazen tactics exposed! The 2-hour delay in the take-off of Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter on Birsa Munda’s birthday due to ATC clearance is nothing but an attempt to stop him from campaigning”. “Rahul Ji’s long struggle for Adivasi rights and Constitution will not be silenced. Jharkhand, vote for justice,” Srinivas said.