After uproar, Mamata Banerjee allows landing of Amit Shah’s helicopter in Malda

Facing flak over not allowing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah’s helicopter to land in Malda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the permission has been granted to use a helipad in the town as they believe in democracy.  “Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said chopper (Amit Shah's) should land at some other place,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by ANI. Banerjee also said that despite being the Chief Minister, her locations are also changed for security reasons. “I also change my chopper's landing on police request. We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy,” ANI tweeted.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also slammed the BJP for misleading people over the issue. “They (BJP) are distorting info and misleading people,” she said.

WB CM: Permission given but there are security issues. Police had said chopper(Amit Shah's)should land at some other place,I also change my chopper's landing on police request.We granted permission for meeting as we believe in democracy.They(BJP)are distorting info&misleading ppl pic.twitter.com/pUcLTrqPF3

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019

Earlier, the BJP had accused the West Bengal government of abusing its power to block the landing Shah’s chopper in the state. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Banerjee’s helicopter landed on the same helipad a few days ago and now she is using falsehood to deny permission to Shah. 

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“At same helipad, Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat & clean. Helicopters are landing & can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of govt power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied,” Prasad said.

“Tomorrow our national president Amit Shah, after having recovered, was to address a rally in Malda in West Bengal. But permission had been refused for his helicopter to land on the ground that airport renovation work is going on & some construction material is there,” he added.

Union Min RS Prasad: At same helipad Mamata ji's helicopter landed few days ago. Some journalists went there, I have pictures, it is neat & clean. Helicopters are landing & can land. Based on baseless falsehood, by abuse of govt power, helicopter of Amit Shah ji had been denied. pic.twitter.com/xdOrCSvgra

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019

Shah, who was suffering from swine flu and was admitted to AIIMS on January 17, was discharged on Sunday. Shah was admitted to AIIMS after complaints of chest congestion and breathing issue on Wednesday. His scheduled rallies were deferred by two days to January 22 owing to its ill health.

On January 23, Shah will address two rallies at Suri in Birbhum district and Jhargram district. On January 24, he will address rallies at Krishnanagar in Nadia district and Jaynagar in South 24 Parganas district, Ghosh said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mamata Banerjee also slammed the BJP for misleading people over the issue.
• BJP chief Amit Shah will address a rally in Malda in West Bengal tomorrow. 
• Shah will address two rallies in Birbhum district and Jhargram district on Jan 23.