VARANASI: The director of Varanasi Airport rejected Tuesday allegations by congressional officials that Rahul Gandhi’s flight was not cleared to land in the city on Monday night and the BJP did so out of spite after the deputy’s success Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Airport manager Aryama Sanyal said the communication from flight operator AR Airways clearly stated that “Gandhi’s flight was reaching Delhi directly (from Kannur, Kerala) instead of arriving in Varanasi”.
“The flight’s landing in Varanasi has been canceled by the operator,” he said. “Despite this fact, rumors have spread that the Indian Airport Authority would not allow his flight to land here.”
The row started on Monday night when Provincial Congress Chairman Ajay Rai, City Chief Raghvendra Chaubey and dozens of party workers reached the airport lounge. When it was confirmed that Gandhi’s flight was not landing in the city, they were livid.
“Rahul ji had to land here to pray Kashi Vishwanath Temple. But his flight was not cleared to land here on Monday evening by officials citing the president’s visit and traffic problems,” Rai said. He accused AAI of following the BJP’s orders, saying the party was afraid of Gandhi after the his yatra Airport director Sanyal reasoned on Monday night that the flight operator had communicated twice that the plan to land in Varanasi had been cancelled.
Airport manager Aryama Sanyal said the communication from flight operator AR Airways clearly stated that “Gandhi’s flight was reaching Delhi directly (from Kannur, Kerala) instead of arriving in Varanasi”.
“The flight’s landing in Varanasi has been canceled by the operator,” he said. “Despite this fact, rumors have spread that the Indian Airport Authority would not allow his flight to land here.”
The row started on Monday night when Provincial Congress Chairman Ajay Rai, City Chief Raghvendra Chaubey and dozens of party workers reached the airport lounge. When it was confirmed that Gandhi’s flight was not landing in the city, they were livid.
“Rahul ji had to land here to pray Kashi Vishwanath Temple. But his flight was not cleared to land here on Monday evening by officials citing the president’s visit and traffic problems,” Rai said. He accused AAI of following the BJP’s orders, saying the party was afraid of Gandhi after the his yatra Airport director Sanyal reasoned on Monday night that the flight operator had communicated twice that the plan to land in Varanasi had been cancelled.
