Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, faced an unexpected delay today as his helicopter remained grounded in Jharkhand's Godda awaiting clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). 

The chopper was allowed to take off after a delay of 45 minutes amid high-stakes campaigning for the final phase of the state's assembly elections.

The Congress claimed the hold-up was a calculated move to disrupt Mr Gandhi's campaign schedule. Party leaders pointed fingers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally near Deoghar, suggesting that the ATC's decision prioritised the PM's event over Mr Gandhi's movements.

The Congress has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the incident. The Congress has alleged that Mr Gandhi and his staff had secured all the requisite permission for travelling across the state. 

"There should be a level-playing field in campaigning. The PM's campaign cannot take precedence over that of all others. Today Rahul Gandhi got delayed in Jharkhand on this account," wrote Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on X. 

There should be a level-playing field in campaigning. The PM's campaign cannot take precedence over that of all others. Today Rahul Gandhi got delayed in Jharkhand on this account. Here is our communication to the @ECISVEEP. pic.twitter.com/gJHGglLwR4

? Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 15, 2024

In its letter to the ECI, the Congress alleged misuse of protocol to hinder opposition leaders' electoral campaigns. "If such a situation is allowed to prevail, then the ruling regime and its leaders can always take undue advantage of such protocols and limit the election campaign of opposition leaders," the letter read.

The Congress claimed that the delay impacted Mr Gandhi's subsequent events, with some either postponed or cancelled. The party called on the ECI to ensure that "the level-playing field is not disrupted in such a manner."

Hitting out at the BJP earlier today, Mr Gandhi alleged that the party does not care about Backward Classes.

"In Jharkhand, BJP had reduced the reservation for backward classes from 27% to 14%. On one hand Narendra Modi gives a speech saying- I belong to the backward class. On the other hand, they reduce the reservation for backward classes, snatch away your land and make you unemployed through demonetisation," he said. 

Around 80 km away at the Deoghar airport, Prime Minister Modi's aircraft experienced a technical snag due to which the aircraft had to remain at the airport causing a delay in his return to Delhi. PM Modi is scheduled to be in the national capital this evening where he will inaugurate an event at the SAI Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. 

The second phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections will take place on November 20. The first phase of voting concluded on November 14 for 43 of the state's 81 seats. The election results will be counted on November 23.