EC delayed Hemant’s copter for 90 minutes citing PM trip: JMM | India News – Times of India

RANCHI: Jharkhand’s governing JMM claimed Monday its chief minister and star campaigner Hemant Soren remained grounded for over 90 minutes after his helicopter was not allowed to take off by the Election Commission over security concerns for PM Narendra Modi, who was addressing a rally 80km away. JMM argued that such no-fly zones last no more than 15 minutes within a 50km radius of the PM’s location.
Slamming the EC and its assurances about a level-playing field for all parties, JMM reiterated allegations that the poll body was working to benefit BJP and sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention in the matter. “You represent the tribal community and so does our leader. This is a distress call,” JMM said in a letter to the President, calling for protection of ST candidates.
According to JMM, Hemant addressed a rally at Gudri in West Singhbhum district for its Manoharpur (ST) Jagat Majhi and was about to take off for another public meeting in Simdega for Congress candidate Bhushan Bara when officials held back his chopper. Hemant eventually reached Simdega nearly two hours late.
“This violates the EC’s protocol,” JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said, citing purported norms limiting the PM-linked curbs to 50km and 15 minutes.
Modi addressed two rallies in Jharkhand on Monday, at Garhwa and Chaibasa, attacking the JMM-led govt over a host of issues.
Last week, JMM had accused the state chief electoral officer and two senior IPS officers of working at the behest of the BJP-led govt at the Centre to tilt the electoral scales in NDA’s favour.