Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was denied security clearance for a roadshow in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Monday, travelled in a seaplane from Sabarmati river to Dharoi dam in Mehsana district on Tuesday.
However, according to some reports, Modi might have flouted some guidelines by travelling in the seaplane. The aircraft is a single-engine one, while the prime minister should only travel in a multi-engine aircraft, which is viewed as being the safer option, The Times of India reported.
At a poll rally on Monday, Modi had said, “Tomorrow, for the first time in the history of the country, a seaplane will land on the Sabarmati river.” He added, “We cannot have airports everywhere, so our government has planned to have these seaplanes.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed this is the first such exercise in the country, PTI reported. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel in the plane from here to Dharoi...He will visit Ambaji temple and come back from Dharoi to Sabarmati in the same plane,” Rupani said.
The Ahmedabad Police had on Monday denied permission to both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress for Modi and Rahul Gandhi’s roadshows in the city to maintain law and order and to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Tuesday is the last day of campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections. The first phase of voting was held in Gujarat on Saturday, December 9, with a voter turnout of 68% in 89 constituencies. The remaining 93 constituencies will vote on December 14. The results will be declared on December 18.
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