An IndiGo flight carrying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday circled over a Kolkata airport for half an hour despite it reportedly being short on fuel, prompting the Trinamool Congress to allege it was a “conspiracy” to kill her, PTI reported . Officials at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport said the flight, which took off from Patna at 7.35 pm, hovered because of “technical reasons”.
However, TMC leader and West Bengal Urban Development Firhad Hakim said the “delayed permission” granted to the flight from the Air Traffic Control tower at the airport was proof of a plot to kill Banerjee. Hakim said the delayed landing “seriously inconvenienced the chief minister and other passengers” on the flight.
“The pilot sought permission for landing from the ATC as the plane was flying short on fuel but the ATC kept the flight on hold,” Hakim claimed. “This is nothing but a conspiracy to kill our chief minister.” Banerjee’s opposition to the Centre’s demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had prompted such a plot, the minister alleged.
TMC leader Mukul Roy said he would ask airport authorities and the civil aviation ministry to carry out an investigation into the delayed landing. Roy claimed the ATC had denied knowing about the shortage of fuel on the flight, NDTV reported.
Banerjee has fiercely criticised the discontinuation of the high-value currency notes, calling it a reintroduction of the “feudal landlord system” and a “draconian decision” which has stripped the poor of their earnings. She has also organised protests against the decision and has been supported by various Opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!