The Varanasi Airport on Tuesday refuted allegations leveled by Congress leader Ajay Rai, who said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plane was deliberately denied landing permission by the airport authorities due to government pressure. The Airport authorities said that the flight was canceled by the charter jet company carrying Gandhi, and that the Varanasi Airport was not at fault. “Please correct your statement as the flight was canceled by the operator,” Varanasi Airport tweeted.
The flight was cancelled by M/s AR Airways by sending email to AAI Varanasi Airport at 2116 hrs on 13 th Feb 2013.Please correct your statement as the flight was cancelled by operator.
— VARANASI AIRPORT (@AAIVNSAIRPORT) February 14, 2023
Congress leader Ajay Rai, on February 14, alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s plane was denied permission to land at the Varanasi airport late at night on Monday, February 13, owing to government pressure. He alleged that the authorities cited President’s visit to the city as an excuse and denied permission.
Varanasi airport refutes allegations that permission was not granted for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s jet to land. Airport says the charter jet company carrying Rahul Gandhi cancelled the flight it themselves. https://t.co/kzDfbvfhty pic.twitter.com/9YTY44CK7O
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 14, 2023
“Gandhi’s plane was scheduled to land at the Babat airport here on his return from Wayanad in Kerala. But the airport authority did not allow his plane to land here due to pressure from the govt. They said there is a traffic jam here and deliberately did not give permission,” Rai claimed as he accused the airport of disallowing the scheduled landing.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is ‘scared’ of Rahul Gandhi and that is why they denied permission for his plane to land at Varanasi’s airport. The prime minister of the country has been anxious ever since Rahul Gandhi led the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Now, they are troubling Rahul,” Rai further asserted.
आप सब ही बतायें कौन किसपे अकेला भारी है ?? @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/GQIfe6q7nh
— Ajay Rai (@kashikirai) February 13, 2023
However, Varanasi airport director Aryama Sanyal issued a statement saying that there was no prior information about Gandhi’s arrival. She also denied allegations that the authorities had refused permission for Gandhi’s plane to land. “The air traffic controller was told that the plan to land at the airport has been canceled,” Sanyal said.
AAI Varanasi International Airport is committed to provide best services 24 hours to all operators, stakeholders and passengers @AAI_Official @aaiRedNR pic.twitter.com/BjljGVZSD9
— VARANASI AIRPORT (@AAIVNSAIRPORT) February 14, 2023
According to the reports, Gandhi was scheduled to visit Prayagraj for a function at the Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital on Tuesday. Reports mention that he also wanted to visit Varanasi to offer prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Reportedly, President Droupadi Murmu also visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday evening after she offered prayers at the Kotwal Baba Kaal Bharav temple in Varanasi.
