After denial, West Bengal govt grants permission to Amit Shah's chopper to land in Malda; CM Mamata Banerjee at backfoot

The controversy over the BJP president Amit Shah’s rally in West Bengal has taken a new turn, where the CM Mamata Banerjee has allowed Shah’s chopper to land in Malda.

The Bengal government had earlier said that it won’t be possible for the approval to land the helicopter of Amit Shah in Malda, as some construction work is on going.

News agency ANI tweeted saying, “In letter dated 18 Jan, Addl DM, Malda replied to BJP over permission for landing chopper at Malda airport on 20 Jan, states 'Up-gradation work at Malda airport going on. Sand&material lying around. Airport not suitable for safe landing of helicopter. Permission not possible.”

The BJP has alleged that it is a conspiracy of the Trinamool Congress, who are afraid of the BJP setting foot in the state. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Tomorrow our National President Amit Shah, after having recovered, was to address a rally in Malda in WB. 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.”

Prasad further said that sometime back, a chopper landed in Malda adding that, “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.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged BJP of spreading fake news and that even her chopper did not land at the given location, and added that “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 people.”

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