PM Modi leaves Jharkhand in another aircraft after 2-hour delay
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew back to Delhi in another plane after being stranded at Jharkhand's Deoghar airport for about two hours on Friday due to a technical issue with his special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. "The aircraft could not be rectified on time. The PM had to wait for more than two hours," Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI. While Modi waited for the matter to be handled, the region's airspace was declared a "no-fly zone."
PM Modi's engagements during Jharkhand visit
The prime minister addressed two rallies in Jharkhand to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. During his rallies, he claimed that the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which is in alliance with the Congress, was assisting "infiltrators" to become permanent residents in Jharkhand. He also unveiled development projects worth ₹6,640 crore and released a commemorative coin and postage stamp in Jamui, Bihar.
PM Modi highlights government's efforts toward tribal welfare
In his address, PM Modi highlighted the government's focus on tribal welfare. He said, "It was the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee that created a separate ministry for tribal welfare." He also noted that under his government, the tribal development budget has increased five times to ₹1.25 lakh crores. He also announced a new initiative "Dharti Aaba, Janjatiya Gram, Utkarsh Abhiyan," to develop over 60,000 tribal villages with an investment of about ₹80k crore.
Rahul Gandhi's helicopter grounded in Jharkhand
Separately, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also had to face delay as his helicopter was grounded for nearly two hours over air traffic control clearance issues in Godda, Jharkhand. The Congress alleged the delay was deliberate to hamper Gandhi's campaign schedule. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted a video on X, showing his chopper getting checked. "Today...my helicopter was inspected by Election Commission officials. BJP believes in fair elections and healthy election system and follows all rules," he tweeted.
