PM Modi stranded at Deoghar airport for 2 hours after plane crash, returns in another plane

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded for nearly two hours at the Deoghar airport on Friday after his special IAF plane encountered a technical problem, forcing him to return to Delhi on another plane. Modi had just addressed a rally in Jamui, Bihar, where he attended a ceremony marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Officials confirmed that after his plane malfunctioned, the prime minister had to wait in Deoghar for the problem to be resolved. However, the plane could not be repaired in time, leading to the PM's departure on another special plane. Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI, “The Prime Minister had to wait for more than two hours.” During this period, the region's airspace was declared a no-fly zone.

This comes as in another incident, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's helicopter got stuck for 45 minutes at Godda due to lack of clearance from air traffic control.

The Congress alleged that the delay in permission was a deliberate move to disrupt Gandhi's campaign ahead of the final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections. Videos from the scene showed Rahul Gandhi waiting inside the helicopter for permission to leave.

Deepika Pandey Singh, Congress MP and candidate from Mahagama constituency, criticized the incident, saying: “Just because the Prime Minister is in Deogarh, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to pass through that area… He There is a protocol that we understand, but Congress has ruled. the country for 70 years and such an incident has never happened with any opposition leader… This is not acceptable. Gandhi's helicopter finally took off at 2:50 p.m.

This was not the first theft-related incident of the week. Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren, experienced a similar delay, with her helicopter stuck for nearly 50 minutes earlier in the week.

ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi's helicopter stuck in Jharkhand after failing to get ATC clearance

PM Modi commemorates 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi addressed a rally in Jamui, Bihar, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda. He accused previous Congress governments of downplaying the role of tribal leaders in the independence struggle in order to uplift “one party and one family”. Without naming the opposition or the Nehru-Gandhi family, Modi said: “If only one party and one family were to be recognized, who would remember Birsa Munda and Tilka Manjhi? »

Modi highlighted the initiatives taken by his government towards tribal welfare, including designating districts with high tribal population as 'aspirational' and increasing the tribal welfare budget from 25,000 crore to 1.25 lakh crore. . He expressed his commitment to improving education, healthcare and employment for tribal communities, called 'padhai, kamai aur dawaai'.

During his speech, Modi also praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was present at the event, for supporting the elevation of Droupadi Murmu to the presidency. Kumar, in a brief speech, admitted that his past alliances with the RJD-Congress outfit were mistakes which he would not repeat.

The prime minister highlighted his admiration for tribal values, describing their environmental practices as a global example amid concerns over climate change. He also mentioned the government's efforts, such as establishing Eklavya schools and conferring Padma awards to tribal artists. Modi spoke about combating sickle cell disease prevalent among tribals and improving access to healthcare through Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs.